PC Claire Boddie has appeared in court over incident in Bristol in January in which Judah Adunbi was allegedly assaulted

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A police officer has denied assaulting a race relations adviser who was allegedly shot with a stun gun.

PC Claire Boddie appeared at Taunton magistrates court to face a charge of assault by beating contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The charge arises from an incident in which Judah Adunbi, 63, was allegedly shot with the stun gun in Easton, Bristol, on 14 January.

A video of the alleged incident was widely published at the time. Following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, a file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which issued a summons.

Boddie, whose address in court papers was given as Avon and Somerset police headquarters, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth and enter a not guilty plea during the hearing on Monday.

The district judge David Taylor told the court that “given the nature of the case, particularly the circumstances of the case”, it should be heard outside the Avon and Somerset police force area. He said it would be listed for a case management hearing on 12 September at Swindon magistrates court.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Judah Adunbi outside Taunton magistrates court on Monday. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Taylor told Boddie: “I will adjourn the case until 12 September and give you unconditional bail. At this case management hearing a trial date will be fixed.”

Adunbi, who attended the hearing with friends, said afterwards: “We are hopeful that justice will be seen to be done by the courts.”

Avon and Somerset police voluntarily referred itself to the police watchdog after the incident.

Adunbi is a former member of the independent advisory group to Avon and Somerset police. Such groups advise on policing issues that may cause concern to local people and communities.