CHIEF constable Peter Fahy has pleaded not guilty to health and safety breaches after a man was shot dead by one of his officers.

Ch Con Fahy, the most senior Greater Manchester Police officer, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The charge follows the shooting of Deane man Anthony Grainger in Cheshire in March 2012.

Ch Con Fahy has been charged as the “corporation sole” for the force, a legal status that means he is a representative of GMP but does not share criminal liability.

He was excused from going in the dock and sat with his legal team, behind his barrister, Anne Whyte QC.

Ch Con Fahy, who wore his uniform to court, stood as he replied “not guilty" after the charge was put to him.

It is alleged that on or before March 3 2012, as an employer, he “failed to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure as far as reasonably practicable” that the planning for "the police action leading to the intended arrest" of Mr Grainger did not expose him to a health or safety risk.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone QC, adjourned the hearing for a pre-trial review in the week commencing December 1, with a time and venue yet to be fixed.