A DETECTIVE will not be prosecuted for an alleged attack because police and the Crown Prosecution Service took more than two years to bring the case to trial.

Yesterday, a judge criticised the two authorities for the length of time Edward Hedley's case had taken to reach court.

Northumbria Police had the details of the case for almost a year before it was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.

Mr Hedley was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, after an alleged incident outside a pub in East Bolden, Tyne and Wear.

Under new human rights legislation, he was granted a stay of indictment, meaning he will never be tried for the crime.

His barrister, John Wilkinson, made a submission to Judge David Hodson that he would not have a fair trial because of the period of time which has lapsed since the alleged offence, on January 3 1999.

Mr Hedley, 31, based at Gilbridge Avenue police station, Sunderland, was said to have kicked Paul Randall in the mouth while off-duty.

Statements from potential witnesses were gathered and Mr Hedley was interviewed in February.

Judge Hodson said: "No satisfaction has been forthcoming as to why the inquiry took as long as it did."

He said that the delay was unacceptable and ruled the case had to be thrown out.