10:38am Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Sam Chadderton
CRIMINAL charges against a police officer accused of misconduct have been dropped.
Sergeant James Boothby, 48, an accident investigator was set to face trial on Monday at Liverpool Crown Court.
However a judge decided the case against him should not proceed.
Sgt Boothby was subject to an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to the award of a vehicle sales and disposal contract when the defendant was working as a vehicle recovery and liaison officer for the force.
The officer, from Burnley, was charged after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sgt Boothby has investigated fatal car smashes in the county’s Eastern and Pennine police divisions, which cover Blackburn, Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale and is called to give expert advice at inquests in the county.
A spokesman for the IPCC said: “A judge decided the allegation against Sgt James Boothby should be treated as a disciplinary matter as in his view it did not meet the threshold for the criminal offence of misconduct in public office.
“The IPCC is now liaising with Lancashire Constabulary to determine the suitable course of action in relation to the officer.”
A police spokesman confirmed Sgt Boothby was back at work on ‘alternative duties’ having been suspended on full pay pending the court hearing.
The spokesman said: “We are liaising closely with the IPCC about what form any internal misconduct proceedings should take.”
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