Police drop charge against man accused of leaking asylum seeker addresses

Police have dropped the misconduct in public office charge against James Jobson, a 62-year-old cleaner accused of leaking the addresses of asylum seekers housed in Thetford, England. The leak was believed to have been the catalyst for violent disorder that erupted over three nights earlier this month, with crowds targeting properties in St John's Way, Bracken Road, Clover Way, Elm Road, and Chester Way.

Jobson, who worked for Serco, a company that provides accommodation for asylum seekers, had allegedly posted footage and images of properties on a Facebook page called 'The HMO Inspector'. Prosecutors stated that the disclosure of these addresses allowed others to identify the locations, and that further disclosures could have resulted in considerable disorder. He had previously appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody, and was due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on September 14.

Some 20 arrests have been made in connection with the disorder. A spokesperson for Serco stated that the company was cooperating fully with the police investigation.