A DISGRACED police officer is facing the sack after being convicted of assaulting a female solicitor at a CID Christmas party.

Detective constable Tony Halliwell (42) will have to go before a disciplinary hearing and a decision on his future will be made by Greater Manchester's Chief Constable.

The Whitefield-based detective had denied common assault and harassing Jannine Fletcher.

Miss Fletcher, from Bury, told a court at Oldham that she was "manhandled" at the party at the Church Inn pub, Church Lane, Prestwich, on December 12 last year.

She said Halliwell grabbed hold of her arm and threatened: "Do you want it breaking?"

Miss Fletcher added: "I was stunned, shocked and frightened. I went to the ladies toilets and cried."

She said she had been invited to the party and could think of nothing which could explain the officer's behaviour.

When stipendiary magistrate David Thomas observed "CID parties are not for the faint-hearted", Miss Fletcher replied: "I didn't go to be abused."

It was also claimed during the hearing that Halliwell had said he hated her and called her a "slag".

The solicitor, who wept as she gave her evidence, agreed she would not have made an official complaint if she had received an apology.

Halliwell, a member of Greater Manchester Police for 12 years, told the court he never touched Miss Fletcher.

But he accepted he did not like her professionally.

After Halliwell was found guilty, his solicitor Ian Holroyd said: "This will have a devastating effect on his career."

Halliwell, who lives in Bradley Fold, Bolton, was told by the stipendiary: "You are a man of previous impeccable character, and this is tragic as far as you are concerned because I know there will be disciplinary proceedings."

He was fined £500 on each offence with £200 costs.

After the case Miss Fletcher said she did not want Halliwell to lose his career.

"I'm glad he was found guilty, and he should receive some form of punishment from the police," she said. "I brought this case on behalf of my profession, and to defend what we stand for."

Police confirmed the officer would be subject to internal disciplinary proceedings which could lead to further punishment.

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