Police await High Court decision on reinstatement of disgraced custody sergeant (From This Is Wiltshire)

Wiltshire Police are waiting to find out if it will have to reinstate a disgraced police officer sacked after a woman prisoner was injured at Melksham Police Station.

Sgt Mark Andrews was jailed in September 2010 for assaulting Pamela Somerville, 60, and was sacked by the force.

CCTV footage showed him dragging her across the floor of the custody unit before shoving her into a cell.

But his conviction was quashed after just six days in prison.

Wiltshire Police refused to allow him back to work, saying his behaviour was “well below the standards expected” but last December, the Independent Police Appeals Tribunal ordered the force to reinstate Sgt Andrews to his £36,000-a-year job and award him back pay.

The force is appealing that decision and on Friday took its fight to the High Court. A judge is now considering the case and will give his ruling in due course.

Temporary chief superintendent Paul Mills said: "Wiltshire Police sought judicial review of the Police Appeals Tribunal decision in 2011, which concluded that Mark Andrews should be reinstated as a police officer within the force.

"The force seeks judicial review, to reinstate the findings of an initial independent police misconduct hearing that took place in 2010, that concluded the conduct of Mr Andrews was such that he should be dismissed from Wiltshire Police.

"The justice in this matter has retired to consider the application and the force will be informed of the outcome in due course.

"Until such time that the force receives the decision and considers further potential legal avenues of appeal, Mr Andrews will not be reinstated into Wiltshire Police.

"At this time it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Ms Somerville, of Colerne, was arrested for failing to provide a breath test after being found asleep in her car. Charges against her were dropped.