A COMMUNITY crime officer who won the support of thousands of residents after being suspended over a teenage assault allegation is set to appear in court.

The Hythe community rallied around Norman Bareham when he was suspended from his duties as a community support officer earlier this year.

The 68-year-old, from Dibden Purlieu, was accused of an alleged assault involving a 16-year-old boy in Hythe High Street and campaigners called for the reinstatement of his civilian crime-busting rights after he was suspended.

More than 1,000 people signed the petition for the accredited community support officer (ACSO).

But he has been summoned to court following the alleged assault on the evening of April 7.

Community support officers are employed by local authorities but wear police-style clothing and deal with issues such as littering, graffiti and the confiscation of alcohol, often through the use of on-the-spot fines.

Mr Bareham worked in Hythe with fellow ACSO Louise Brearley and both are employees of Hythe and District Parish Council.

The incident is claimed to have happened in the town’s High Street when Mr Bareham was on duty.

He is set to appear before magistrates but a Hampshire police spokeswoman said nobody has been charged in connection with the incident.

The spokeswoman said: “A 68-year-old man from Dibden Purlieu has been reported for summons following the assault of a 16-year-old boy on the evening of April 7 on Hythe High Street.”