 THE trial of a former top cop accused of leaking a confidential police authority report collapsed yesterday - sparking fury over the cost of the case. The bill for the failed prosecution against ex-chief superintendent Peter Bolton was last night estimated at around £150,000. The case was dropped just two days into the trial at Chester Crown Court and shortly before North Wales chief constable Richard Brunstrom was due to give evidence. Mr Bolton, 51, of Abergele, was suspended on full pay as North Wales Police Authority deputy clerk last summer after being charged with misconduct in public office. He denied the charge. He was in tears as he hugged wife Joanna - following the collapse of the case. It was alleged Mr Bolton posted a copy of the confidential report - into bullying allegations against former deputy chief constable Bill Brereton - to Mold-based freelance journalist Elwyn Roberts. But the court yesterday heard far more people could have potentially leaked the report than the prosecution initially thought - destroying their case which was based on handwriting evidence. Clwyd West MP Gareth Thomas last night demanded to know why the case went ahead on "such slender evidence" putting a former senior officer of "impeccable character through the mill". Meirionydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd angrily questioned how much police time was spent on the case in which the evidence did not add up to "a row of beans". Nic Parry, lawyer for Peter Bolton, said after case: "For Peter Bolton and his family this brings to an end a 12 months nightmare. He has maintained his dignity throughout his defence of this matter and does so to this day. "He does not wish to point the finger. He does not wish to make any accusation. He has maintained throughout that he has known nothing whatsoever about the leak of this document. "His relief is enormous and he merely wishes to thank his family, friends, colleagues, current and former and his legal team." | 
