A FORMER Avon and Somerset police officer has been cleared of stealing weapons from the force’s armoury after the prosecution dropped the case.

Richard Rockey had been due to stand trial at Exeter Crown Court in May accused of stealing a variety of air weapons when he was working at the constabulary’s headquarters at Portishead.

He was cleared after his defence team questioned some of the evidence against him, leading to a re-examination of the case by prosecutors.

Mr Rockey, 59, of Dornafield Close, Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, was found not guilty of seven charges.

He told him: “This brings these proceedings to an end. You are formally acquitted of all charges. I can see this is an appropriate outcome.”

He had previously denied theft of an air pistol between July 4, 2019 and October 6 2021; a Hawk air rifle between December 2, 2020 and October 6, 2021, both from Avon and Somerset police, and an ACOG sighting system from Gloucestershire police.

He was also found not guilty of possessing prohibited weapons, namely a Brocock .22 air powered revolver and a Saxby and Palmer .177 gas powered air gun at his home on October 5, 2021.

He was also cleared of possessing a mini flare kit and 17 cartridges without a certificate on the same date. 

Mr Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said: “The Crown are offering no evidence.”

Mr Adrian Chaplin, defending, said Mr Rockey was not applying for a defendant’s costs order because he had not kept receipts for incidental expenses such as travel and parking.