A police officer giving evidence after a man was punched and killed during a night out in Watford gave incorrect information, her supervisor has confirmed.

The female officer from Hertfordshire Constabulary told a jury that there were only 12 officers on duty in the town centre on the night 22-year-old Bradley Cresswell was killed.

Ridwaan Shaikh, 22, hit Bradley after they had been to Hydeout Nightclub in The Parade on 17 September 2016.

Shaikh was jailed for nine years for manslaughter on Thursday.

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In his summing up of the case, which was held over two weeks at the Old Bailey, Judge Morris QC told jurors: “The police were understaffed that night”.

However, Watford Chief Inspector Paul Sandwell said the number quoted was incorrect.

He told the Watford Observer he could not give exact figures and added: “The figures quoted at court were given in good faith but I would like to reassure people that we do have adequate resources to patrol Watford’s hotspot areas during busy periods and respond to incidents when they are reported to us.

Watford Observer:

Bradley was just 21 when he was killed

"Every day we are assessing intelligence and staffing levels to ensure we have appropriate resources in place.

“It is vital that we are able to ensure public safety and so these resource levels are assessed regularly and additional officers bought in to cover busier weekends when it is deemed necessary. We are also able to call on other specialist police resources if required, including the dog and firearms units.”

SEE ALSO: Touching floral tributes to Bradley Cresswell killed after night out in Watford

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now probing Mr Creswell's contact with Hertfordshire Police shortly before he was killed.

Mr Creswell and Shaikh (below), of Ilford in London, were with groups of friends when they encountered each other at the nightclub.

Watford Observer:

Shortly before closing time, one of Mr Cresswell's friends knocked one of Shaikh's friends to the floor.

Mr Cresswell later separated from the group and was walking alone towards Bentine Lane when Shaikh knocked him unconscious, although he soon recovered.

The two groups met each other again in The Parade about 40 minutes later and began arguing, and Shaikh hit Mr Cresswell, this time fatally.

Mr Cresswell suffered a bleed to the brain and never regained consciousness.

Watford Observer:

Flowers were left for Mr Cresswell in The Parade following his death

The IPCC says Mr Cresswell spoke with police officers after the first assault.

An IPCC spokesman said: "A notice of investigation has been served on one officer.

"Misconduct notices do not imply guilt but are to inform the officer that their behaviour and conduct is under investigation and the level of severity.

"The investigation had been suspended while parallel criminal proceedings took place, and will now be resumed."

Shaikh had denied manslaughter but was found guilty at the Old Bailey last week.