Sacked porn officer's race claim

Danny Noble said he planned to show his colleague a clip of a singing hippo

A police community support officer sacked for showing pornographic images to a colleague has claimed racial discrimination over his dismissal.

Danny Noble, 42, of Old Colwyn, Conwy, said white officers and staff had not been suspended and dismissed for what he said were more serious offences.

Mr Noble is also claiming unfair dismissal against North Wales Police.

Chief constable Richard Brunstrom has told the Shrewsbury employment tribunal Mr Noble's behaviour was "serious."

Mr Noble said he had intended to show his woman colleague a humorous clip on his mobile of a hippo singing.

Giving evidence at an employment tribunal, he claimed the force showed double standards when it sacked him in August for the incident in November 2007.

He referred to the case of two police officers, who received community sentences for ill-treating their dogs, but were allowed to keep their jobs, although they had been docked 10 days' pay.

He said he believed this was not only a more serious offence but also reflected more badly on the force, due to there being national headlines.

Chief constable Richard Brunstrom said he was proud of his force's diversity

Mr Noble had been on duty at Prestatyn with fellow PCSO Nicki Adams when she saw two pornographic images on his mobile, the hearing was told.

He said there had been mistake but he did not know whether she had "scrolled down" beyond the clip of the hippo to the pornographic images.

He said: "I had no intention of upsetting her."

Ms Adams immediately told colleagues and rang her partner. Mr Noble was dismissed for gross misconduct and lost an appeal before the force's chief constable Richard Brunstrom.

Mr Brunstrom gave evidence at the tribunal on Wednesday, when he said he was proud of what the force had achieved in diversity.

'Adverse effect'

It emerged that one officer had been dismissed for accessing porn on his BlackBerry when on and off duty.

Mr Brunstrom said Mr Noble's behaviour "was more serious because it had an adverse effect on a work colleague and therefore it could not be said to be a victimless crime. Such behaviour was unacceptable in the police force."

He added: "I'm satisfied he would have been treated in the same way had he been white."

Mr Brunstrom said that, percentage wise, his force had the best results in Britain in recruiting from ethnic and minority backgrounds.

The hearing continues.