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Officer cleared of 'bottom slap' | Officer cleared of 'bottom slap' |
(10 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' | 'Go forward' |
In a statement he said: "It was never my intention to cause upset or alarm to any person or my organisation. | In a statement he 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." | "I am pleased that this is now behind me and I can now go forward from this point." |
During the three-day trial, the prosecution claimed the sergeant 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. |
The charges followed an investigation led by Thames Valley Police's Professional Standards Department, after female officers made statements alleging that they had been assaulted by Mr Downing. | |
Det Ch Con Alex Marshall said: '"This case was properly identified through interviews with the witnesses and was brought to trial by the Crown Prosecution Service. | |
"The force will now consider a police misconduct hearing in respect of Mr Downing's behaviour." |