Policeman sexually assaulted two women at party

A police officer has been 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.

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.

Det Ch Insp Liz Basham praised the women for coming forward and for trusting the force to "root out this bad apple".

He will be sentenced at the same court on 19 December.

'Women should feel safe'

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".

Det Ch Insp Basham, who thanked the two women, said they had "shown immense bravery, patience and resilience, and I am grateful to them for putting their trust in us by reporting these offences and allowing us to root out this bad apple from our organisation".

She said tackling violence against women and girls was a priority for the force.

"Women should feel safe to go out and attend parties without fearing that they will be sexually assaulted and we will always do everything we can to protect that right, without fear or favour," she added.