Criminal charges against police officer dropped

The police officer was suspended from Suffolk Police

Criminal charges against a police officer have been dropped.

Andrew Bedding, 28, from Ipswich, had previously denied three counts of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards three former partners.

The suspended Suffolk Police constable also pleaded not guilty to one count of theft at Colchester Magistrates' Court in April.

Mr Bedding appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday and the charges were dismissed.

The offences were alleged to have happened at three different locations in Essex between 2018 and 2022.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We have a duty to keep all cases under continuous review and to ensure the legal test is met for a prosecution.

"After carefully considering this case, we concluded that there was not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and the proceedings were stopped."