A SERVING Haringey Police detective has been given a suspended jail sentence for mishandling an assault investigation.

Detective Constable David McGarry admitted misconduct in a public office and was today given a six-month suspended jail term.

The 52-year-old officer based in Haringey appeared before Southwark Crown Court after a victim of grievous bodily harm in Tottenham complained of mistreatment.

The 29-year-old man was attacked on July 1, 2005, and two suspects were charged in 2007. However, the case against them collapsed when the trial judge found holes in the investigation and breaches of the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act code of practice.

DC McGarry was charged in August 2010 and suspended by the Met. He admitted misconduct in a public office in December last year, and was today sentenced. Three accusations of perverting the course of justice will lie on file.

He has been ordered to do 120 hours community service and pay £1,500 costs. He will now face an internal disciplinary investigation and could lose his job.