A POLICE constable attacked a member of the public with a baton following an incident involving two attractive young women in Accrington town centre, a court heard this week.
The prosecution alleges that PC Jason Livesey, 33, carried out an "unprovoked, unnecessary and unlawful" attack on Lee Sayers in June 2003.
He then arrested Mr Sayers for assault and threatening behaviour and it is claimed he lied under oath in court. But when the trial collapsed Livesey himself was investigated and this week he faced charges of perverting the course of justice, actual bodily harm, assault and perjury.
The Crown claims that Livesey, who worked at Accrington Police Station, was chatting to the women who were leaning into his patrol car at around 11.45pm.
Mr Sayers was walking from Baileys to the Bees Knees with a group of friends when he commented that the mini-skirted girls were "a bit of all right".
His friends reacted by pushing him into the women as a joke. He apologised and attempted to walk on but Livesey got out of the car, confronted him in an aggressive manner and struck him up to five times with his baton.
Kate Blackwell, prosecuting, said he had lost his temper and was determined not to lose face in front of the women.
A couple who were in a nearby vehicle at the time were so concerned they told Livesey he was out of order. He allegedly smiled, replied: "Yeah, I know" and winked at them.
Livesey denies all charges and the Preston Crown Court trial continues.
