Charge dropped

After hearing the evidence of Emma Streets and of PCs Robert Fagg and Peter Luckovicky, who attended the incident in October, and seeing video from the officer’s body-worn cameras, the panel agreed with defence counsel.

Ben Brandon, representing Insp Jones, said although two of the women had been drunk and high-spirited, there was no evidence they had been abusive or threatening, and so the panel struck out the charge that Insp Jones had failed to challenge inappropriate behaviour.

They also heard Insp Jones had been quiet and calm.

Insp Michelle Whitehead, now retired, attended the incident after the constables advised her it was “sensitive” as it involved police staff.

But although she appeared as a witness for the prosecution, she admitted that she could not say that Insp Jones was drunk.

Yin Jones, chairman of the police misconduct hearing at the Kent Police headquarters in Sutton Road, Maidstone, gave the panel’s verdict.

The penalty for Insp Jones had not been revealed as the KM went to press.