A man remains behind bars after police dropped misconduct charges linked to asylum seeker riots in Thetford.
James Jobson, from Costessey, was accused of leaking information about asylum seeker accommodation addresses via a Facebook account called the HMO Inspector.
He was charged with misconduct in public office and remanded in custody, but Norfolk Police have since dropped the case after evidence emerged that undermined the prosecution.
Despite this, Mr Jobson is expected to remain in prison until Monday due to “ongoing paperwork.”
Police initially formed a line in front of the property (Image: Supplied)
A spokesman for Norfolk Police said: “During the investigation, Mr Jobson was interviewed under caution and provided a no-comment interview.
“As with any police investigation, enquiries continued after charge.
“During further enquiries, officers identified additional evidence which undermined the case against Mr Jobson and the CPS was informed of these developments.
“It was concluded that the legal test for prosecution was no longer met and the case was discontinued.”
Mr Jobson had appeared remotely from the dock at Norwich Magistrates’ Court and had been in custody since at least Monday when he appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court.
His family said they had not been able to contact him for four or five days and do not intend to speak in detail until he has returned home, focusing instead on “taking care” of him upon his release.
A family member said: “Even at the hearing the judge said there was a lack of evidence.”
The HMO Inspector Facebook account, which police alleged Mr Jobson operated, continued to post while he was in custody.
The anonymous operator has stated that they are not connected to Mr Jobson.
The Eastern Daily Press raised this detail with police, prompting a review of the case.
Detectives are continuing to investigate how information was shared online, which they say led to a number of addresses being targeted during the disorder.
After hearing the charge had been dropped against Mr Jobson, Marcus Pearcey, who stood as the independent candidate for the police and crime commissioner, said in a statement that “there are some very serious questions that now need answering”.
“How was a cleaning supervisor considered a “public officer” for the purposes of misconduct in public office?
“The police and prosecutors should be able to explain how this investigation was handled, what evidence supported the original allegation, whether the correct evidential procedures were followed before charge, and what subsequently emerged that undermined the case, ” Mr Pearcey said.