A police officer is facing a misconduct hearing accused of failing to protect a victim of domestic abuse.

PC Robert Coffey is facing allegations of discreditable conduct in relation to an incident in Hartlepool five years ago.

It surrounds a domestic incident he attended on March 23, 2019, when was on duty with Cleveland Police in a marked patrol car with a female colleague under his tutelage.

PC Coffey, who had ten years’ experience at the time, allegedly failed to take adequate steps to safeguard the woman and did not investigate properly.

He is also accused of not conducting adequate assessment of the risks posed or recording the incident on police systems properly.

If the case against him is proven he could be found guilty of gross misconduct.

The hearing will be held on May 20 at 10am at Scotswood House, Thornaby Place in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees.

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Last June a criminal case against PC Coffey was dismissed.

He was accused of two counts of improperly exercising the powers and privileges of a police constable.

He denied the offences and a trial by jury at Newcastle Crown Court started but the prosecution offered no evidence and the case was discharged.