Officers sacked for youth attack

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The police station were the officers worked

Two policemen have been sacked and a third told to resign for assaulting and threatening a 16-year-old boy and then trying to cover up their actions.

Northamptonshire officers William Docherty, 42, and Sean Holiditch, 43, were found guilty of seven charges at a disciplinary hearing, the IPCC said.

Steve Eaton, 50, was required to resign after pleading guilty to three charges.

IPCC commissioner Amerdeep Somal said their actions in arresting the boy, who had breached bail, were a "disgrace".

Disciplinary hearing

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) looked into allegations that the trio, based at Campbell Square, Northampton, assaulted and threatened the youth, then attempted to pervert the course of justice.

The allegations included causing a police sergeant to make an incorrect entry in the custody log and threatening to fabricate evidence following the teenager's arrest in Daventry on 24 November 2006.

The boy, also wanted for failing to appear in court, was arrested at about 1930 GMT after running from a car which was initially believed to be stolen, but did not arrive at the custody suite in Northampton until just before 2200 GMT.

They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter Amerdeep Somal, IPCC commissioner

The youth claimed that during the two-and-a-half hour period the officers used a disabling pepper spray on him and threatened and intimidated him while driving him around the Daventry area. He said they also tried to plant drugs on him.

The officers, who were part of the Northamptonshire West Tactical Team, were subsequently charged with the criminal offence of misconduct in public office and one was charged with assault.

However, a decision was later taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to proceed with a criminal prosecution.

A CPS spokesman said it had discontinued the case due to a legal ruling, which left them "in a position where they could not offer any evidence".

The spokesman said: "We charged all three officers concerned with malfeasance [legally unjustified act] in public office and one of them with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

"While the case was in court, a legal ruling was made that meant that we could no longer continue the prosecution."

The CPS added that the legal ruling meant no further prosecutions could be brought in these cases against the three officers.

Following this decision, the force decided that the officers would face a disciplinary hearing.

Unacceptable behaviour

IPCC commissioner Ms Somal said: "The actions of these officers were totally unacceptable.

"They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter.

"They have brought disgrace upon themselves and the force and I applaud the fact that decisive action has been taken against them."

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Talbot, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "These three officers originally faced charges that were withdrawn by the CPS with our agreement.

"Despite this fact, we decided that the matter was so serious that they should face a disciplinary panel.

"The outcome reinforces that fact that Northamptonshire Police demands and expects a high standard of behaviour from its officers and will act when these standards are breached."