A Greater Manchester Police officer who only joined the force in September, 2020 has resigned after being convicted last year of sexually assaulting a male colleague.
33 year old former police constable, James Holt, from the Wigan area (pictured above), attacked his fellow officer on a drunken off duty night out with other trainee GMP officers, in June, 2021, by twice grabbing his penis through his clothing after telling his victim he had ‘a sizeable package’.
He was sentenced at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court in October, 2022 and given a nine month community sentence, ordered to take part in an alcohol abstinence programme and pay a victim surcharge of £95 and £700 costs.
During the trial, he was said to be ‘remorseful’ for his actions. The victim had told the court he felt ‘violated’.
Ex-PC Holt was facing almost certain dismissal before a police misconduct hearing on Tuesday 25th April, 2023 but resigned the day before.
He had been suspended from duty after a complaint was made against him.
GMP Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, said the former officer’s actions were a “catastrophic lapse of judgement” and his conviction “discredits the police service”.
Mr Watson said that Holt, who did not attend the hearing, was “under the influence of alcohol” at the time but “there is no justification for his actions”.
Adding: “The misconduct has come at a terrible cost to him after being fairly convicted of a sexual offence after what is believed to have been an early fledging career.”
The chief said Holt would have been dismissed from the force had he not resigned.
He has subsequently been added to the College of Policing’s barred list which prevents him joining any other police force.
Detective Superintendent Phil Duffy of the force’s Professional Standards Branch said “Those who enforce the law, as with any other person, cannot break the law. If they do, not only will they feel the consequences of the criminal court but can expect to be held to account by the force.
“In Holt’s case his behaviour was entirely incompatible with his role as a then police officer and this is why he now finds himself barred from policing for life. This is yet another case that demonstrates the resolve of the Professional Standards Branch to purge such individuals from its ranks.
“Whilst we are transparently demonstrating a high rate of dismissals, we are hopeful this provides our communities with the confidence that GMP have set a high bar for professionalism and those that cannot reach it will not be part of our continuing journey of improvement.”
There has been no explanation provided by GMP regarding the delay between the criminal court findings and the final disciplinary hearing.
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Page last updated Sunday 7th May, 2023 at 0910hrs
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