Detective has public order conviction overturned

Det Insp Mark Portelli has had his conviction overturned following an appeal

A senior police officer found guilty of shouting and swearing at his former partner has had his conviction overturned.

Dorset Police officer, Det Insp Mark Portelli, 45, was previously convicted of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Det Insp Protelli appealed the December 2024 conviction. The appeal was heard at Southampton Crown Court on Monday.

A force statement explained there would now be a review of the detective's conduct.

The conviction was in relation to an incident on Saturday 30 March and into the early hours of Sunday 31 March 2024 at the Canvas night club in Poole Hill, Bournemouth, when Det Insp Portelli was off-duty.

As previously reported, the officer, who leads a Dorset Police team dealing with domestic abuse and stalking, was handcuffed outside the club after allegations he used "foul language".

A statement about the appeal from Dorset Police explained: "A review of conduct will now be carried out by Dorset Police's Professional Standards Department to ascertain if the Standards of Professional Behaviour were breached during this incident."