A FORMER assistant chief constable of Essex police is due to face a crown court trial after denying actual bodily harm following an alleged noisy neighbour dispute.

Lee Weavers - a high-ranking officer with Essex Constabulary until his retirement in 2000 – indicated he would be pleading not guilty in relation to the alleged incident in Ipswich, when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Weavers, now managing director of Leema Risk Management in Angel Lane and Viking Mariners in Wherry Lane, Ipswich, also said he would be pleading not guilty to possessing a police baton in a public place.

The charges relate to an alleged incident which is said to have occurred in Coprolite Street, Ipswich, at around 8pm on August 11.

Yesterday, the 60-year-old former head of crime appeared in court for the first hearing of his case.

When asked how by the court clerk how he intended to plead to the charges Weavers indicated it would be not guilty.

District Judge Celia Dawson heard a brief outline of the case and told Weavers it was not suitable for trial in a magistrates court.

Weavers, of Coprolite Street, Ipswich, was given conditional bail and must re-appear before the same court on October 24.

According to Weavers’ profile on the Leema Risk website, during his police career he had held a number of senior operational positions.

Before his retirement 12 years ago he had been Essex Constabulary’s assistant chief constable for operations for a protracted period.

He was also head of CID. During his career he led various major operations, along with serious and serial crime investigations.

In addition Weavers had also been a uniformed divisional commander during his service.

He joined the police in 1969 and retired 31 years later due to ill health.

Since 2000, Weavers has worked in the private sector with clients in the UK and abroad.

He has led projects around the world and has particular expertise in risk management, security and safety.

Weavers is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

He also has a Master of Arts degree in Police and Criminal Justice.