Surrey PC's taxi fare court case dismissed
The case against a Surrey police officer who was accused of making off without paying a taxi fare has been dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
PC Gina Patten, 50, was arrested after an alleged dispute over a £16 fare in Godstone High Street in January.
The case against her co-accused Matthew Woodly, 23, from Oxted, was also dismissed.
PC Patten is still charged with obstructing a police officer, and is due to be tried by magistrates.
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokeswoman said: "Gina Patten and Matthew Woodly were charged with making off without payment contrary to the Theft Act 1978 after it was alleged that they failed to pay a taxi fare.
"Following a review of the case the CPS decided that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction as we could not prove that they intended to be dishonest.
"Ms Patten remains charged with an offence of obstructing a police officer, an offence which will be tried in the magistrates' court."
PC Patten, from Lingfield, has been suspended from duty by Surrey Police while her case goes through the court process.