A POLICE officer accused of alleged misconduct has told a jury that he expected colleagues to carry out checks on a prisoner who was found dead in his cell.

PC Andrew Robinson, who has 27 years experience in the force, was on duty the night 27-year-old Chorley man Geoffrey Lea died.

Mr Lea had been arrested for being drunk and incapable when he choked on his own vomit.

Robinson, 45, has denied a charge of misconduct in public office.

Giving evidence, he told a Preston Crown Court jury that he had been moved from CID to the custody office following a drink drive conviction in May, 1997.

Initially he had no formal training and shadowed an experienced officer before eventually undergoing a five-day training course.

He said he was aware of the importance of the care and welfare of prisoners and the obligation of custody officers to visit them regularly.

These would normally be carried out at hourly intervals, or half hourly in the case of drunks or juveniles.

Robinson, who is currently suspended, said he had been doing paperwork and expected colleagues to cover the visits.

When he asked if they had been done, he was twice given the impression that they had.

Around midnight he had been filling in Mr Lea's record when a constable told him he had not done the visit.

He therefore stopped what he was doing and went to check on Mr Lea.

(Proceeding)

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