Police officer Andrew Gore given caution after assault
A police sergeant accused of assaulting a 19-year-old man at Darlington Police station has been given a caution.
Sgt Andrew Gore, 47, faced a charge of assault by using excessive force on the teenager in October 2011.
He was due to appear before Sunderland magistrates on Monday but did not attend the hearing after earlier accepting a police caution.
A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said the officer would now face internal disciplinary action.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated the allegations after a referral by Durham Constabulary.
Gerry Sydenham, prosecuting, said the officer initially denied the offence after he was accused of using excessive force, but he had since changed his stance.
"There has been an acceptance that his behaviour went beyond what could be reasonable self-defence," he said.
Mr Sydenham, a senior CPS figure in the North East who deals with crown court cases, said a caution was recommended and that had taken place.
A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings the officer will now be subject to an internal disciplinary hearing in due course."
The decision to caution the officer came as a surprise to the Independent Police Complaints Commission which investigated the assault.
A spokesman said: "The IPCC has noted that Sgt Andrew Gore has been issued with a caution.
"We had no warning of this prior to the attendance at court by one of our investigators.
"We are seeking an explanation from the Crown Prosecution Service about developments and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."