A HAMPSHIRE man has told how allegations against him almost drove him to suicide and left him “feeling like a leper”.

Norman Bareham, 68, a former police officer, was sacked from his job as an accredited community safety officer (ACSO) over allegations that he assaulted a teenager.

The case came to court, even though the youth involved had not wished to pursue the matter.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo the grandfather from Dibden Purlieu pleaded guilty and received an absolute discharge on account of his “previous good character,” meaning that he will not have a criminal record nor receive punishment.

Now Mr Barham, who worked as a police officer for 30 years, plus another decade as an investigator with the force, has said the case drove him “insane” and left him needing a nine-week course of treatment in a psychiatric unit.

The ACSO, who worked for Hythe and Dibden Parish Council for six years, had a nervous breakdown and was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after he was suspended from work.

Speaking to the Daily Echo from his home in Dibden Purlieu, Mr Bareham said he was “confused” as to why the case was taken to court after the teenager involved stated that he did not want to pursue charges.

Mr Bareham, who said he has a “very positive relationship” with the young people of Hythe and Dibden, was called to Hythe village centre in the early evening of April 7 to deal with an incident involving young people at the Waitrose store.

Shop staff felt intimidated by a small group of youths making gestures and Mr Bareham tried to speak to one of the group who ignored him, so he took the teenager by the shoulder to move him away from the others.

Mr Bareham said he submitted a report as normal that same evening and was surprised the following day, when he received a phone call from Hythe parish clerk telling him he was suspended from his job “with immediate effect” and that he was not to attempt to enter his place of work without first seeking permission in writing.

“It was a great shock. I had no opportunity to explain what happened. I was taken by surprise by being suspended. I thought it was just a routine incident,” said Mr Bareham.

After some weeks of feeling isolated and worried Mr Bareham’s mental health went into rapid decline.

His wife Jackie said: “It was very serious. He wasn’t eating breakfast, he was starting to get more and more subdued, he was permanently cold. He couldn’t engage in conversation. He wasn’t sleeping.”

As Mr Bareham’s mental health worsened, he withdrew more from his family and began to plan suicide.

“I was in an advanced state of planning to end my life,” he told the Echo.

By chance a friend saw him at St Andrew’s Church and was so concerned by Mr Bareham’s condition that she phoned his daughter Louise.

Mr Bareham was taken to hospital and diagnosed with severe depression.

“It was the pressure, the isolation and the criminalisation. I have been shunned by the people I had been working with and for,” he explained.

“I was happy as the day was long. We had a holiday booked and life was fine. Then all of a sudden this happened and I was driven into despair.

“What happened is against the wishes of the person at the centre of the allegation. The relationship we have with the young people in the community is very good and very positive. I love working in the community.”

His wife Jackie said the effect on the family had been “horrendous,” with daughter Louise, 38, also an ACSO, bearing “the brunt” of the situation.

The 70-year-old said she wanted to thank the people of Hythe for their support. One resident, Jane Gritt, collected more than 1,300 signatures for a petition calling for the council to reinstate Mr Bareham.

Mrs Bareham said: “We have had hundreds of cards, cake and flowers. People have just been coming by and knocking at the door. “ However, she said Mr Bareham’s employer had made them feel “like lepers.”

Hythe and Dibden Parish Council clerk Stephanie Bennett said: “The council has a full support system available for employees and nominates a support officer to all employees who are suspended. I would like to reassure you that this was available to Norman and he was reminded of this through his fortnightly suspension reviews.

“As you will be aware the council also employs a member of Norman’s family and has implemented and is delivering a concise dynamic risk assessment that is in place to protect our other employee. This is because we recognise the commitment of our employee to her work and how the investigation and court processes may affect her.”

A spokesperson from CPS said: “Even if the victim doesn’t want to we still have to take it to court because [Mr Bareham] was an authority figure. There was sufficient evidence to take it to court. Mr Bareham pleaded guilty. The court never criticised the CPS for taking the case to court.”

Despite all the trauma of the case Mr Bareham said he wants to return to his job.