Swaffham policeman in court

A Swaffham police officer appeared in court on Saturday charged with weapons, harassment and assault offences.Sgt Mark Murphy, 38, a road policing officer based in the town, appeared before Norwich Magistrates charged with failing to provide a breath specimen, carrying a knife in public, harassment causing fear or violence, assault and possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate.

A Swaffham police officer appeared in court on Saturday charged with weapons, harassment and assault offences.

Sgt Mark Murphy, 38, a road policing officer based in the town, appeared before Norwich Magistrates charged with failing to provide a breath specimen, carrying a knife in public, harassment causing fear or violence, assault and possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate.

Murphy, of Downham Market, pleaded not guilty to harassment between February 1 and March 1 and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place on March 1.

He entered no plea to a further charge of possessing firearm ammunition in a public place on March 1.

Two further charges of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis on March 22 and common assault against his former partner Georgina Vyse on March 1 were not dealt with during the short hearing.

Murphy was released on bail on condition that he abides by a 24-hour curfew at his parents' house at Lingwood, and does not leave that address without either his father or mother accompanying him, that he does not enter Downham Market or King's Lynn and that he does not attempt to contact named prosecution witnesses.

He is due to reappear at the court on May 2.