Isle of Wight police officer appears in court charged with misconduct in public office
Pc James Martin allegedly failed to immediately release a man from custody after they were "unlawfully arrested"
A police officer has appeared in court charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly failing to release from custody immediately a man who was "unlawfully arrested".
Pc James Martin, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on October 10 in connection with the incident which happened in December 2022.
The 35-year-old, from Shanklin, did not enter a plea to the charge and the case was sent to Winchester Crown Court.
Martin was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing on November 6.
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokeswoman said that Martin, who is based on the Isle of Wight, had been placed on "directed duties".
She said: "A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police officer has been charged with misconduct in a public office.
"Pc James Martin is charged following an incident in December 2022, which led to the wrongful arrest of a member of the public.
"Pc Martin is alleged to have failed to take immediate action to release the man from custody, once he discovered the arrest was unlawful."