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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Officer cleared of 'bottom slap' | Officer cleared of 'bottom slap' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| A Thames Valley police sergeant has been cleared of sexually assaulting two female colleagues at a barbecue. | A Thames Valley police sergeant has been cleared of sexually assaulting two female colleagues at a barbecue. |
| It was alleged Mark Downing, 39, of Tilehurst in Reading, Berkshire, told one woman her bottom was "perky" before slapping it while drunk. | It was alleged Mark Downing, 39, of Tilehurst in Reading, Berkshire, told one woman her bottom was "perky" before slapping it while drunk. |
| But at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday the jury found him not guilty of three counts of sexual assault. | But at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday the jury found him not guilty of three counts of sexual assault. |
| The sergeant remains suspended from his job pending internal disciplinary proceedings by Thames Valley Police. | The sergeant remains suspended from his job pending internal disciplinary proceedings by Thames Valley Police. |
| It took jurors an hour-and-a-half to clear Mr Downing, who denied all the accusations. | It took jurors an hour-and-a-half to clear Mr Downing, who denied all the accusations. |
| 'Go forward' | |
| During his three-day trial, the prosecution claimed he told the woman "If you are bending over, it's there to be slapped". | During his three-day trial, the prosecution claimed he told the woman "If you are bending over, it's there to be slapped". |
| At the same barbecue in Slough on 6 July last year, Mr Downing was also accused of grabbing another woman officer's waist and said "you and me, outside." | At the same barbecue in Slough on 6 July last year, Mr Downing was also accused of grabbing another woman officer's waist and said "you and me, outside." |
| On an earlier occasion, at a pub in Eton, he was said to have put his hand under the second female constable's top and touched the top of her bottom, prosecutor Christopher Smyth said. | On an earlier occasion, at a pub in Eton, he was said to have put his hand under the second female constable's top and touched the top of her bottom, prosecutor Christopher Smyth said. |
| But Laura McQuitty, defending, said the two women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had never intended to make a complaint. | But Laura McQuitty, defending, said the two women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had never intended to make a complaint. |
| She said one had been distressed but it was "about giving evidence, not because of the incident." | She said one had been distressed but it was "about giving evidence, not because of the incident." |
| In a statement Mr Downing said: "It was never my intention to cause upset or alarm to any person or my organisation. | |
| "I am pleased that this is now behind me and I can now go forward from this point." |