Police to deny disorder charges

Six Lincolnshire police officers charged over an alleged disturbance on a train will deny any involvement, a court has been told.

The two sergeants and four PCs, all based in Boston, were the subject of a complaint after the trip last November.

The case went to Lincoln magistrates after an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

On Monday their solicitors indicated they would be entering not guilty pleas when the case is next heard.

'Abusive writing'

The accused sergeants are Mark Connelly, 34, and Simon Alderson, 35.

The PCs are Ryan Duffy, 21, Neill Webster, 22, Matthew Dossett, 29 and Jody Senior, 26.

All six officers were off-duty when their behaviour allegedly contravened Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act on 30 November 2004.

Each is accused of displaying threatening, abusive or insulting writing, signs or other visible representations likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The hearing was adjourned until 22 August, when the men - currently suspended by the Lincolnshire force - are due to learn the date of their trial.

None of the officers attended court.