Police deny evidence plant threat

Stephen Eaton, Sean Holditch and William Docherty deny the charges

Three police constables have appeared in court accused of misconduct after allegedly threatening to plant incriminating evidence on a teenager.

Stephen Eaton, 49, William Docherty, 42, and Sean Holditch, 42, who entered not guilty pleas, each face one charge of misconduct in a public office.

The charges relate to their handling of a 16-year-old boy they had arrested for breaching his bail conditions.

The officers are all based at Campbell Square police station in Northampton.

The three appeared at Northampton Crown Court.

It is alleged that, on 24 November, 2006, between them the officers:

Did not take (the teenager) to a police station as soon as reasonably practicable;

Used incapacitant spray in circumstances which were not justified;

Made threats to harm;

Made an inappropriate search of property;

Made a false pocketbook entry;

Caused a police sergeant to make an incorrect entry in the custody log;

Made a threat to fabricate evidence.

All three officers, who are currently suspended from duty on full pay, were released on bail until their trial at a date to be fixed next year.

The trial is due to last eight days.