[J]URORS in the trial of a police sergeant accused of attacking a man while off duty and in-drink have retired to consider their verdicts.
Stephen William Light, a 44-year-old Northumbria police sergeant, faces two charges arising out of alleged incidents in Workington during the early hours of April 11.
He denies both the alleged unlawful wounding of Andrew Grant – a Fountains Avenue neighbour of the officer’s father and step-mother, and damaging Mr Grant’s window.
The prosecution allege Light “took the law into his own hands” and used a metal kitchen roll holder to strike and injure Mr Grant, who was involved in a noise dispute with his neighbours which a council was investigating.
It is alleged Light – who had drunk “10-plus” pints was “simmering with resentment” when he entered Mr Grant’s home uninvited.
But, giving evidence, Light said he had merely gone in to lawfully arrest Mr Grant who, he claimed, had gestured towards his family’s home and stated: “You want to watch that doesn’t burn down tonight.” That was, he said, a threat he took “very seriously”.
Jurors today (THURS) heard closing speeches, and a judge’s summing-up before retiring to begin their deliberations. Light, of Bede Close, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, denies charging alleging unlawful wounding and criminal damage.
Recorder Julie Clemitson had said during her address to jurors: “It is for the prosecution to prove that the defendant was not acting lawfully.”