A POLICE officer accused of misconduct in public office has been described by colleagues as ‘professional’, ‘courteous’ and ‘reliable’.

Preston Crown Court heard how PC Ihsan Ali, who worked as an immediate response officer in Blackburn and Burnley until his arrest and subsequent suspension last year allegedly committed the offences against four women.

Closing the prosecution case, Sarah Johnston told the jury how 40-year-old Ali, who lives in Bacup, has no previous convictions but is facing an internal inquiry by Lancashire Police into his conduct towards his alleged victims. She also said that Ali had been stalked by a woman in 2012.

Opening the defence case Mark Monaghan said Ali would not be taking to the stand to give evidence.

PC Ihsan Ali found guilty of misconduct in public office

Mr Monaghan said: “As far as the case for the defence is concerned it’s anticipated a small number of defence witnesses as to his character. However it’s not the defence’s intention to call Ihsan Ali to give evidence on his own behalf.”

The first defence witness was Sgt Caroline Rigby, who was Ali’s supervisor between 2012 and 2015 when he worked on the burglary department based at Burnley Police Station.

When asked by Mr Monaghan what Ali was like to supervise, Sgt Rigby said: “I always found his work was fine. He was reliable and courteous. I never had any issue with PC Ali on the whole.

“He was quite willing to get stuck in. He was keen. He was always willing to get stuck in and put people in jail.”

PC Mark Bewley, who worked alongside Ali on the burglary team, was also called to the stand as a character witness.

When asked by Mr Monaghan about the way Ali interacted with the public, particularly victims of crime, PC Bewley said: “He was very professional and diligent in his work. He was absolutely no concern. He was an excellent team member and he was always there to support his colleagues.”

During the prosecution case the the jury was told how Ali initially went to the homes of his four alleged female victims to legitimately investigate complaints they had made about being the victims of crime. But in each case he allegedly gave the complainants his personal mobile phone number and began sending them inappropriate texts with the intention of developing ‘emotional or sexual relationships’.

Ali pleaded not guilty to four counts f misconduct in judicial or public office between May 26, 2016, and April 8, 2017.

(Proceeding).