Sacked Wiltshire police sergeant to be reinstated Published duration 2 December 2011

media caption Sgt Mark Andrews is seen dragging Pamela Somerville on CCTV in July 2008

A police officer who was sacked after being jailed for throwing a woman on to a concrete cell floor has won his job back.

Sgt Mark Andrews was dismissed by Wiltshire Police after being seen on CCTV in July 2008 dragging Pamela Somerville, 60, across the floor.

He was dismissed in January but the decision has been overturned on appeal and he must now be reinstated.

Wiltshire Police said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the ruling.

The police force and Wiltshire Police Authority are now considering whether to appeal against the decision by the independent Police Appeals Tribunal.

The ruling indicates Mr Andrews can be reinstated to his former rank with immediate effect.

In September 2010 Sgt Andrews was found guilty of causing Ms Somerville actual bodily harm and was jailed for six months.

Sgt Andrews spent six days in prison, but was released on bail pending an appeal at Oxford Crown Court, which he later won in November 2010.

Injuries 'caused by door frame'

His conviction was subsequently quashed after the appeal judge felt satisfied Sgt Andrews did not intend to throw Ms Somerville into the cell.

Mr Justice Bean concluded the injuries she suffered "were probably caused by her falling to the floor after letting go of the door frame".

Ms Somerville was arrested after she was found asleep in her car near her Colerne home and had been detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test.