Charge against former student PC dropped

Caitlin Howarth had appeared before York Magistrates' Court in April

Criminal proceedings against a student police officer who was charged with misconduct in public office have been halted.

Caitlin Howarth, 24, was suspended from duty in 2021 and was subsequently charged over what was described as "a relationship with a notifiable association with criminal connections", by West Yorkshire Police.

Ms Howarth, who worked in Bradford, first appeared before York Magistrates' Court in April.

But on Tuesday, it was announced the Crown Prosecution Service would not offer any evidence in the case, meaning Ms Howarth has been acquitted of the charge.

Ms Howarth, who is no longer a police officer after resigning from her role, remains the subject of misconduct proceedings brought by the policing authority.

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