A POLICE officer has been sacked over assault allegations after spending just weeks in the job.

Police community support officer Paul McGladdery, who started working in Earby on May 1, has been charged with an assault - an allegation he denies.

Mr McGladdery, who lives in Colne, is the second Earby police community support officer (PCSO) to be dismissed in the space of four months.

He replaced former PCSO Andrew Swindells, who had been suspended and later dismissed after being convicted of a sexual assault.

In an incident which led to Mr McGladdery's dismissal, the police were called out to a house in Colne. A woman, who is believed to be Mr McGladdery's long-term partner, claimed he had assaulted her.

The 24-year-old, who was subject to a probationary period in his role, was immediately suspended and was dismissed the following day.

Police refused to go into details about the decision to sack PCSO Gladdery.

But West Craven area sergeant Andy Cartwright said: "We felt the move was appropriate "The dismissal of two Earby officers in the space of four months is very regrettable but we are hoping to appoint a new PCSO for Earby within the next couple of months."

Following the alleged incident, Mr McGladdery, from Colne, appeared before Burnley Magistrates' Court where he denied a charge of assault.

A trial date has now been set for September 6.

Earby councillor Christopher Tennant he believed the police had had no choice.

He said: "Given the circumstances I don't think there was any other option.

"To dismiss him is unfortunate for him and also West Craven Police and Earby as we will now be a PCSO down."

Before completing a five-week PCSO training course at Lancashire Constabulary's Hutton headquarters, Mr McGladdery worked as a lifeguard and football coach at Pendle Leisure Centre.

Former PCSO Andew Swindells was found guilty of groping a woman in Skipton's Strata nightclub in February.

Mr Swindells denied the offence and insisted the incident had been a case of mistaken identity, but was convicted.