A FORMER community safety officer who appeared in court over allegations that he assaulted a teenager continues to face an anxious wait to see whether he will be reinstated.

Supporters of Norman Bareham are now on a mission to bring back the “much loved” safety officer to their Hampshire community.

Scores of residents and members of Norman's family packed council offices in a bid to urge parish councillors to reinstate him as a safety officer.

It was the latest in a series of demonstrations of support for Norman, who was facing a charge for assaulting a teenager earlier this week.

Now the Hythe community safety officer has been given an absolute discharge, meaning he will not receive a criminal record and there is no conviction.

But residents are continuing their fight as there is yet to be any confirmation that the 68-year-old from Dibden Purlieu will be able to return to his role with Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.

The council offices in Hythe were crammed full of people this week as they attended a meeting to discuss the importance of Norman returning to his role immediately, demanding councillors bring him back.

Among those who attended were Norman’s wife Jackie and his daughter and fellow community safety officer Louise Brearley as well as campaigner Jane Gritt who presented a petition with more than 1,400 signatures to the council calling for Norman to come back.

It comes after Norman pleaded guilty to an assault charge but received the absolute discharge at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

Despite this, the parish council is yet to re-employ Norman.

During the meeting a number of concerned and outraged residents spoke of the important job Norman does in the community working as an accredited community support officer (ACSO).

Brian Dash told the council: “I don’t understand why there is any delay, we have a verdict of absolute discharge, and I really don’t know how much more complicated it can be. He hasn’t done anything wrong he has performed a satisfactory service for a number of years.”

Norman’s wife Jackie, 70 said: “We want him back, he wants to be back. He is loved and cared for in this community.”

Presenting her petition Jane Gritt, 43, from Hythe added: “I think this petition shows just how strongly people feel about this. We were shocked by the charge, he has made Hythe a safer place to live in he is kind and respected in the community and we all hope he will be back soon.”

Tristan Le Marechal, 19, from Dibden also spoke during the meeting, representing the Hythe Youth Club.

He said: “There are so many times when me and my friends could have got into trouble and Norman has always been the one to approach us in the best way possible, he has saved us from so much. He is genuinely the nicest man we have ever met, we have grown up with him and he matters to all of us he should be back doing this job.”

Cllr Malcolm Wade said: "There is something very rare here. Norman has had a massive impact on our community, greater than anyone here. We are lucky to have someone like him working for us."

Chairman Chris Harrison said they would want Norman back if he chose to return.

The parish council clerk Stephanie Bennett said there was now a process which did not involve the council where Norman would have to go through a process with the Community Safety Accreditation Service which is run by Hampshire Constabulary and he would be vetted to gain his accreditation again.

She could not confirm how long this would take but said the vetting process can take around three weeks.