Police officer pleads not guilty to having sex with witness

A police officer has appeared in court to deny having sex with a witness and a voyeurism charge.

Pc Jonathan Layzell, of Northumbria Police, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to face six counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of voyeurism, pleading not guilty to all.

He is accused of having a relationship, including sexual activity, with one witness, then having a relationship with a second female witness, and taking photographs of a third woman.

A trial date for Layzell, who is 42 and from Gateshead, will be set next month.