A former dog handler convicted of cruelty to animals has claimed he was victim of a witch-hunt.

Andrew White, 38, ex-head of police dog training at the force's unit in Sandon, today (Friday) vowed to clear his name, despite being found guilty of seven charges under the Protection of Animals Act and given a prison sentence.

Looking exhausted in his local pub, the 38-year-old, who lives near Rayleigh, said: "Early on I felt they would never find I had been cruel. However, quite soon into the investigation I realised it was more of witch-hunt than a fair investigation.

"I felt there was no way there would be cruelty in my section, because I was confident about what I was doing. I felt ashamed that my name was being bandied about with cruel practices. But I still felt confident that the detail would come out."

"At the beginning I was looking forward to going into the box and giving evidence.

"But after about the third day of the trial I was told by my barrister I would win it, but not here."

When the former head of police dog training at the force's dog unit in Sandon arrived at Chelmsford Court last October his career looked promising on paper.

Mr White had had an unblemished career and was heading for promotion to inspector. His appeal was overturned by a judge last week, and the four month jail sentence was reduced to 28 days suspended for a year.

Believing prison could be one outcome never occurred to him. The courts heard he was never present when the dogs were hung from fences and kicked, but that he supported this as a method of dealing with aggressive dogs, which he has always denied.

"I did know dogs had been suspended, I knew dogs had been kicked but I never knew the details. And I ask now, perhaps I should have done.

"In hindsight, I really wished I had spoken to my officers who found out about the allegations so I could have put a stop to it."

Witnesses on both sides said they had never seen him ever ill-treat dogs, Judge Michael Yelton said he was not cruel by nature.

His partner of over seven years, Anne-Marie is an officer with the force. Mr White is scathing of Essex Police and feels a great sense of injustice.

He is still angry about the decision to dismiss him before the appeal had started, accusing the force of "bowing to public and media pressure."

"I was disgusted. I was the first Essex Police officer to be so, and I felt it was a political decision.

"I felt they were trying to make the organisation look whiter than white. They were scapegoating me.

"I had given nearly 18 years of excellent service. I don't feel bitter about police officers, but about the organisation."

His friendships with many handlers at the Sandon continue, but he says morale is low at the dog unit rocked by this case.

With a promising career it tatters, dealing with depression and facing financial hardship for the first time in his life he believes he has two options.

To fight to clear his name and become embroiled in a personal and bitter battle, or start again and put it behind him.

"Which at the moment is very hard to do," he said. "That's how it should be. The trouble with the job is you can be a good police officer but do not get outside skills. And with a criminal conviction it's hard. I have go to set up my own business."

It is also a stigma for his children he feels deeply embarrassed about.

Angry - Andrew White

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