Detective guilty of public order offence after club arrest

Det Insp Mark Portelli shouted and swore while he was being handcuffed, a court heard

A senior police officer who shouted and swore at his former partner as he was arrested outside a nightclub has been found guilty of a public order offence.

Det Insp Mark Portelli, who leads a Dorset Police team dealing with domestic abuse, was handcuffed outside Canvas in Bournemouth in the early hours of 31 March.

The 45-year-old from Broadstone told Southampton Magistrates' Court the foul language was directed at himself, but he was convicted of harassing the arresting officers and bystanders through his behaviour.

The officer, who is also the force's lead on stalking, was cleared of assaulting three nightclub staff after they declined to give evidence.

Portelli said he began drinking cocktails and prosecco with friends at three venues from 17:00 GMT.

Shortly before midnight, he was ejected from the nightclub after a disagreement with his ex-partner, he added.

On police body-worn video shown in court, he repeatedly shouted swearwords which are sometimes used in a derogatory manner to describe women.

The alleged incident took place at Canvas nightclub in March

However, the officer told the court: "Although I was looking in the direction of my partner, they weren't directed at her.

"I was chastising myself... I was very embarrassed.

"I run a department to counter these sorts of things and I was being arrested for them."

Portelli said his arrest was unfair although he was ashamed of his swearing, the court was told.

Judge Anthony Calloway said the language was directed at "a particular identified person, a female person who is not in court".

He said it was "extreme abuse uttered over a significant period of time".

The court heard Portelli, a father of two, was likely to be dismissed from the force as a result of the guilty verdict.

He was fined £500 and was ordered to pay £620 costs as well as a victim surcharge.

Dorset Police confirmed that the officer would face misconduct proceedings.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: "Det Insp Portelli's actions on the night in question clearly fell well below the expectations of behaviour for our officers and staff.

"Members of the public quite rightly have the expectation that our officers and staff should strive to adhere to the highest of standards in their behaviour, even when not on duty."