A SENIOR Hampshire County Council solicitor based in Winchester is due in court to face an allegation of perverting the course of justice.

Jeremy Penny, 47, of Vale Road, Ash Vale, Surrey, is accused of telling the police that a non-molestation order was still in existence in August 2014, knowing that it was no longer in force.

No other details were available but such orders are usually imposed to stop someone contacting another person involved in a legal case.

The county council today said Mr Penny has been removed from "any legal case work."

Mr Penny has been a solicitor since 1999 and works at the county council in Winchester as the leader in the adult safeguarding and education team.

His council profile said: "Jeremy is primarily responsible for advising senior members of Hampshire County Council’s children’s services department to ensure that they continue to meet their overriding statutory responsibilities for the safeguarding of children whilst also advising the adult services department in respect of the safeguarding of adults. Jeremy previously worked in private practice as a family law solicitor before joining the council in 2001."

A police spokesman said today: "A man will appear in court to face a charge of perverting the course of justice following postal requisition. This follows an investigation into an alleged incident relating to a report made to police on August 20 2014.

"A 47-year-old man from Ash Vale, Surrey, will appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on July 24."

In a statement the county council said: "Mr Penny continues to be employed by the county council. ‘However until the matter is resolved, he will not be undertaking any legal case work. As this matter is subject to legal proceedings, we will not be making any further comment."

In a statement the county council said: "Mr Penny continues to be employed by the county council. However until the matter is resolved, he will not be undertaking any legal case work. As this matter is subject to legal proceedings, we will not be making any further comment."