Officer given community order for sexual assault
BBCA police officer has been given a three year community order after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women at a party.
PC Gareth Middleton, 32, from Rushden, Northamptonshire, was found guilty of two offences of sexual assault that took place in 2021.
He was sentenced following a court case at Leicester Crown Court.
The Northamptonshire Police response officer, based in Kettering, has been suspended from the service and will now face an accelerated gross misconduct hearing, the force said.
He was also given a five year Sexual Risk Order (SRO), was ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge, £2,000 in costs and to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
Northamptonshire Police said Middleton, from Upper Queen Street, Rushden, went to a house party on 27 August four years ago.
He sat next to a woman on the sofa and touched her in a sexual manner. Fearing for her safety, the woman left and later reported it, the force said.
During its investigation a second woman came forward and told officers he had approached her while she was dancing and touched her inappropriately.
The force said the assault was captured on video by her boyfriend showing Middleton lifting her up with one of his hands on her right breast, after she told him to "do one".
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