A GWENT police officer has appeared in court, charges with several counts of breaching the data protection act.

Sharon Head, a sergeant in the Gwent area, appeared in Newport crown court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to all six charges, relating to six incidents between February 2006 and March 2007, when she allegedly accessed personal details at a police station.

Judge David Morris passed a postponement order restricting the publication of Head’s address and Gwent police were unable to comment on how long she has been in the force.

Head, who is currently suspended from duty, was released on bail until her trial starts on March 30.