AN ex-policeman who caused the collapse of a trial when he went on holiday to Tenerife was yesterday stripped of his "injury on duty" award.

Detective Constable Gary Knapper, formerly of Hartlepool CID, had been given the compensation after becoming depressed when the case hit the headlines.

But Cleveland Police Authority said he should be stripped of the award and they were vindicated when a High Court Judge upheld their decision yesterday.

London's High Court heard how Mr Knapper, of Peterlee, east Durham, went on holiday instead of testifying in the trial at Teesside Crown Court of a man accused of a raid on 89-year-old pensioner Phyllis White's Hartlepool home.

Following the trial's collapse, the critical headlines took such a toll on Mr Knapper that he was medically retired on grounds of permanent disability in March 2001.

In April 2002, a force medical officer refused his claim for an injury on duty award.

But Mr Knapper appealed, and in August 2002, Home Office Medical Referee, Dr David Watt, upheld his case, saying the publicity was "the main precipitating factor of his illness."

However, that award was yesterday stripped from the ex-policeman by Mr Justice Collins, who said Mr Knapper's injury was "not received in the execution of duty".

Yesterday, Phyllis White's son, Ron White, welcomed the decision. He told The Northern Echo: "At first, I did feel sorry for Gary Knapper because he must have had permission from a superior to go on holiday in the first place.

"However, when he claimed this injury award I thought that was going too far."