Police officer who sexually assaulted colleague given unpaid work

POLICE OFFICER WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED COLLEAGUE GIVEN UNPAID WORK

A Dumfries police officer has been ordered to do unpaid work after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a colleague on a night out.

Michael Scott, 36, denied two charges of repeatedly slapping the woman's buttocks at pubs in the town and elsewhere, plus making remarks of a sexual nature towards her.

He was found guilty at Dumfries Sheriff Court and the judge said his sentence was an alternative to prison.

Scott was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within six months and put on a supervision order for six months.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for the same length of time.

Following his sentencing, Ch Supt Helen Harrison said: "Scott's actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for, and I commend the victim for coming forward." "We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer.

"We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved." She added that all officers were bound by their standards of professional behaviour whether on or off duty.

"Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken," she said.

"This case will now be assessed for misconduct under the conduct regulations."