A VILLAGE beat bobby appeared at crown court yesterday accused of forging a signature on a witness statement.
PC Paul Martin Gallagher, a former beat officer for the West Cornforth area of County Durham, is charged with perverting the course of justice.
It is alleged that the offence was committed during an investigation into a complaint of criminal damage in the village late last year.
PC Gallagher was suspended from duty by the Durham force in May, when inquiries were made into the alleged forging of a witness's signature.
A spokesman for the Durham force said at the time that any decision over disciplinary action would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.
The 34-year-old officer appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday, but the case was adjourned without the charge being put to him during the brief hearing.
He was bailed by Judge Esmund Faulks until August 6, when a further hearing will take place at Newcastle Crown Court.
Granting him unconditional bail, to an undisclosed address, Judge Faulks said: "It's all very sad because the consequences for this officer could be very grave."
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