Detective 'grabbed girls' necks'

Jonathan Fox retired from the police force in November 2005

An off-duty detective grabbed two teenage girls by the throat and shouted abuse after one of them threw a small twig which hit his car, a court heard.

Detective Superintendent Jonathan Fox, 51, of Hampshire Police, assaulted the girls in a "few moment of madness", Chichester Magistrates' Court was told.

The court heard he swore at the girls and gripped their throats and arms.

Mr Fox, who retired from the police in November, denies two counts of assault, claiming he grabbed one girl's jacket.

Magistrates were told the officer "led and inspired many" during his years with the Hampshire force.

'Shouting and swearing'

The court heard the girls, aged 14 and 15, were walking along Portsmouth Road in Southampton on 14 May 2005 when the younger of the two "discarded" a foot-long stick which "collided" with the Renault Laguna.

The hearing was told Mr Fox's unmarked car mounted the pavement, damaging the vehicle, which the girls said had not been damaged by the stick.

The younger girl, who is now 16, told the court from behind screens: "The car screeched and made a banging noise.

"He got out of the car and slammed the door and shouted and grabbed my arm.

"He was walking towards us and shouting and swearing."

'Downplay your misbehaviour'

She said when the other girl swore at him, and told him to let go of her arm, he grabbed both of their throats.

Defence counsel Janice Brennan accused the girl of deliberately throwing the stick at the car, knowing it was likely to cause it to skid.

She said: "You are trying to downplay your misbehaviour that night."

Miss Brennan said Mr Fox grabbed the girl's jacket and "held her at arms length".

The case was adjourned until Tuesday.