23 January 2013 Last updated at 08:09 ET

Keith Davidson fraud trial jury fails to reach a verdict

The PSNI officer appeared before Downpatrick Crown Court

The jury in the trial of a Northern Ireland police officer accused of fraud and misconduct in public office has failed to reach a verdict.

The jury of seven woman and five men deliberated for more than seven hours.

The foreman told the court that even if they were given more time they would still not be able reach a unanimous or 10 to two majority verdict in the case.

Keith Andrew Davidson, 44, of Bangor PSNI station, had denied concocting 16 incidents of intimidation.

He had been on trial at Downpatrick Crown Court, charged with making a fraudulent application for the purchase of his home under the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED).

The jury was discharged and a decision on whether or not there will be a retrial be made on 1 February.