A BARRISTER defending a police inspector accused of downloading child pornography has told a judge he may ask for the case to be kicked out if the defence is not given "a level playing

field".

The case of Gloucestershire Constabulary officer Inspector Mark Winter of Alcester, was listed at Warwick Crown Court for a directions hearing.

Winter, who is suspended from duty, pleaded not guilty earlier this year to two charges of making indecent images of children and two of attempting to make indecent images between February and May 1999.

Prosecutor Simon Ward told Judge Richard Cole that since July progress with the case has been "understandably slow" because of the need to obtain expert evidence and information from other cases.

"We have been busy on both sides but it is a long process," he said, asking for the case to be adjourned for a further two months.

Eben Hamilton QC, defending, said he has spoken to the QC in the case of Soham detective Brian Stevens to find out why that case had been dropped last month. He was told it was because a defence expert named Bates has discredited the evidence of the prosecution

expert Brian Underhill.

Mr Hamilton said the defence has applied for funds from the legal services commission to pay for an expert and after appealing had been given a final ruling on the amount that would be

allowed.

Handing in three quotations for the work, he told the judge: "We have been in touch with three businesses who deal with this sort of stuff. They will help but we cannot afford to pay them.

Judge Cole commented: "This is a case in which it is vitally important the defendant should have proper experts on his side."

"If the money is not made available it could lead to an abuse of process argument.

I am not saying it will succeed but I can see it will be made."

He adjourned the case for another directions hearing to take place in November and Winter was granted bail.