A former Billerica, Massachusetts, police officer charged with assaulting a man has accepted a plea deal that will allow him to clear his record if stays out of legal trouble.
The Sun of Lowell reports that John "Jay" Hickey was placed on probation for two years after pleading to sufficient facts to assault and battery on Monday. The judge continued the case for two years, meaning if the 47-year-old Hickey complies with probationary conditions, charges will be dismissed.
Authorities say Hickey was off-duty in 2013 when he punched another man in the face at the Billerica Elks Club after the other man's wife and Hickey's girlfriend exchanged words.
Hickey resigned last fall following a termination hearing. Police said during the hearing that Hickey had a history of "egregious acts of misconduct."
