A special constable has appeared in court accused of obtaining and disclosing personal data without consent.

Robert Beare, 48, of Morton Road, Lowestoft, is accused of knowingly disclosing the data – contrary to sections 55 and 60 of the Data Protection Act 1998 - between May 6 and May 13 of last year.

Beare, who was formally suspended from the Suffolk Police force in January of last year, did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned to Ipswich Magistrates' Court on February 23.