PC Paul Traynier appeared at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A Medway police officer is in custody after being charged with a sexual offence and perverting the course of justice.

PC Paul Traynier appeared at Maidstone Crown Court by TV link from Elmley Prison, Sheppey, yesterday for a brief preliminary hearing.

The 39-year-old award-winning former Special Constable, of Cliffe Road, Strood, is accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl between May 13 2009 and May 14 2010.

He is further accused of two charges of perverting the course of justice over the same period.

Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said there was a co-defendant who would be joined with Traynier's case to appear together for a plea and case management hearing on December 14.

She is Traynier's partner Tracey Sales, a 36-year-old cashier, of Cliffe Road, Strood.

She was charged on September 29 and will appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on October 22.

Wearing a checked shirt, Traynier - who won The Medway Special of the Year award in 2010 - sat at a table in a room at the prison listening intently.

His lawyer, Keith Middleton, said: "Unequivocally, he will be pleading not guilty."

Judge Philip Statman said any application to transfer the case out of the county would have to go before Resident Judge Jeremy Carey with 14 days.