HUNDREDS of people are demanding that a community safety officer who appeared in court accused of assaulting a teenager gets his job back.

The Hythe community has rallied around Norman Bareham who was suspended from his duties in April after he was accused of assaulting a teenager in Hythe High Street.

Now the 68-year-old from Dibden Purlieu has pleaded guilty to the assault charge and was given an absolute discharge, meaning he was not punished, by Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

Despite the case, the Hythe community is renewing its calls to have him reinstated.

In April a petition was signed by more than 1,300 people who called for the accredited community support officer (ACSO) to be given his job back.

Campaigner Jane Gritt, 43, from Hythe who launched the petition, said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the outcome.

She said: “He is massively important to the local community and there has been lots of comments added to the petition and want him back on the streets as soon as possible.

“ I really hope he comes back he is such an asset to the community, a lot of people have missed him.”

Daily Echo: Jane Gritt

Last night the petition which called for Mr Bareham to be reinstated was handed to Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.

However, there is still doubt whether residents will see the popular officer on the streets in the future.

Funded by the parish council Mr Bareham was responsible for a range of duties such as dealing with littering, graffiti and the confiscation of alcohol, often through the use of on-the-spot fines.

Mike Short, chairman of the Personnel Committee at Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, Mike Short said: “We are awaiting the formal court result which is not yet available. Following this, vetting and HR processes will be undertaken.

“This council is committed to getting the ACSO service back to strength as soon as we are able. During the whole period support has been available and is still available if asked for.

“I would like to thank Louise, my fellow councillors and the parish council staff for their hard work over the last few months of a reduced ACSO service.

Malcolm Wade, Councillor for Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, has supported Mr Bareham throughout the process.

Cllr Wade said: “It was a nonsense that this has dragged on for six months and it has had a negative affect on Norman and his family.

"It is my hope and wish that he returns, he is an excellent employee of the parish council and he has done a fantastic job in the community, he is well respected and well loved and he has helped so many people and is a credit to the community.”

The family of Mr Bareham did not want to comment.