A NORTH Yorkshire ex-police constable has appeared in court accused of misconduct in connection with firearms and services provided as a firearms enforcement officer.

Paul Duffield, 55, from Easingwold, north of York, denied six misconduct counts which related to "facilitating the release" of firearms into the public domain which belonged to others and two misconduct charges related to alleged payments from two hotels in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

He pleaded guilty to three offences of possessing ammunition without authority.

At Teesside Crown Court Judge Simon Bourne-Arton granted the defendant bail ahead of a trial which is expected to last two weeks, beginning on February 4 next year.

North Yorkshire Police said the officer resigned in January.