Neglect trial for PC

A police officer has gone on trial accused of telling a woman he was due to arrest to “take a walk” - so she wouldn’t be in when he went to her door.

Constable Gordon Henry went on trial at Paisley Sheriff Court charged with neglect of duty.

PC Henry, 42, denies breaking Section 22( 3) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 when told to arrest Lynn Pearson from her home in Graham Street, Johnstone.

Prosecutors allege he “did neglect or violate” his duties when he was “required to serve and execute a warrant”.

They also allege that Henry “did telephone Lynn Pearson and warn her that you were on your way to said address for the purpose of executing said warrants and did invite her to ‘take a walk’ and induce her to leave said address to avoid apprehension in respect of said warrants”.

PC Brian Kelly was the first witness in the case.

PC Kelly, who has 17 years police service, said he was on duty with PC Henry on the day in question, December 4, 2015.

He said he received a call over the radio that they were to attend Pearson’s Johnstone home and arrest her.

But he said that, when they got there, there was “no trace” of her.

He added: “We searched the area for her and then we just headed back to the office.

“We went back to Johnstone Police Office.”

Henry maintains his innocence and the trial was adjourned.