PC jailed for sexually assaulting 'sleeping' woman

Steven Tissier filmed five videos of himself sexually assaulting his victim, which he later sent to a friend

A police officer who filmed himself sexually assaulting a woman he thought was asleep has been jailed for four years.

Steven Tissier, 38, groped the victim's breast under her top after returning to Chelmsford from a night out on 10 March 2022.

The victim pretended to be asleep while the Essex Police officer also touched her bottom, leg and thigh.

Tissier was found guilty of two offences of sexual assault at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The assault happened after Tissier, who was off duty, and the victim had returned to Chelmsford, having been on a night out in London with other people.

The woman told a trial she had woken up when Tissier first touched her but pretended to be asleep because she was frightened and hoped he would stop.

She reported what happened to a friend the following day and, subsequently, to the police.

Five videos were found on Tissier's phone that showed him assaulting the woman, an investigation discovered.

He then sent them to a friend a few hours after she went home.

'Disgusted'

Tissier resigned from Essex Police while he was under investigation. He was later found to have committed gross misconduct.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said he had been left "disgusted" by the defendant's actions.

He said the victim had shown "bravery" to come forward.

“No-one should have to experience what she has gone through, and she has shown great integrity and dignity throughout the investigation and court case," he added.

Tissier will be on the sex offenders register for life and was permanently banned from policing.