PC accused of abusing powers will not face retrial

A jury at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court failed to reach a verdict in the case of police officer accused of perverting the course of justice

A police officer accused of misusing his powers and convincing an abuse victim to lie about their relationship will not face a retrial, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

PC Paul Higgins, 42, from Hengoed, Caerphilly county, claimed he had met his ex-girlfriend Jessica O'Neill on a night out in Cardiff, while she said it was when he responded to her call about a report of domestic violence.

He denied five charges, including the improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable, three counts of unauthorised access to police computer systems and perverting the course of justice.

A jury at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was discharged last month after failing to reach a verdict.

During the trial, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke directed the jury to find Mr Higgins not guilty of misusing his police powers to instigate a prior relationship of Ms O'Neill.

The judge also directed jurors to clear him of three counts of computer misuse because he was the officer in the case and there was no evidence his access was unauthorised.

A CPS spokesperson said: "We carefully considered the issue of whether to seek a retrial and consulted the complainant.

"After taking all matters into consideration we decided not to seek a retrial."

Mr Higgins has been suspended from South Wales Police since May 2021 when the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation following a referral about his conduct.