An award-winning police officer has been found not guilty of assault today (Monday) after two women were arrested by Halesowen bus station.

PC Kevin McClenaghan, 50, faced three charges of assault following the arrest of the women after a disturbance near Halesowen bus station on 22 December, 2017.

He was found not guilty of the charges and one charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, by a jury.

The serving police officer, from Rowley Regis, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court.

Police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, began an investigation following a referral from West Midlands Police last January and submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service last June.

West Midlands Police is yet to comment.

Pc McClenaghan has previously been commended for his bravery and good service. He received an award in 2009 after while off-duty, he attended Showcase Cinema with his daughter when he was met with a vehicle which was driving erratically in the car park, narrowly missing his own.

He stopped the car and seeing the vehicle’s ignition was broken, informed the four occupants they were under arrest and marched them into the cinema until officers arrived.

All four were charged by magistrates after the vehicle was confirmed stolen and used in two burglaries.