Woman 'thought Dorset Police detective would rape her'

The three-day hearing is taking place at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith

A police detective left a woman feeling "scared" she would be raped when she was sexually assaulted at home, a misconduct panel heard.

Det Con Nick Gravenor is also accused of inappropriately touching the woman while on duty.

The misconduct panel at Dorset Police headquarters heard the alleged offences happened in 2015.

He denies breaching the force's code of professional standards.

Det Con Gravenor is also accused of using sexualised language to the woman and using the police database to conduct unauthorised searches on her.

Outlining the case, barrister Charles Apthorp said the woman had started to trust the detective and confided in him about her personal life.

He told the hearing the accused made inappropriate comments to her when he was on duty, complimenting her on her "nice bum".

"He grabbed and touched her inappropriately to touch her bottom," Mr Apthorp said.

"He sought to exploit her vulnerability for his sexual gratification."

Mr Apthorp said the most serious incident happened when Det Con Gravenor went to the woman's flat uninvited.

'Weak and frightened'

The detective touched her and kissed her against her will before sexually assaulting her on a sofa bed, the hearing was told.

"She felt weak, frightened and was scared she was going to be raped," Mr Apthorp said.

"The contact was unconsented, unwanted."

He added the victim had contemplated taking her own life following the assault.

The hearing was told a Facebook message was sent from the accuser to one of her friends on the day of the alleged assault saying she had endured "a bad experience".

Giving evidence, she said: "Worthless, scared, just all horrible feelings - that's how I felt after [the attack]."

She said she waited three years to report him because she did not think she would be believed, but decided to make a complaint after confiding in a friend.

Under cross-examination, she said there had been "flirty banter" between the pair.

She rejected the suggestion that Det Con Gravenor had "just given her a peck on the cheek" and that she "encouraged him to visit".

"He did everything I've said he did," she added.

The hearing, which is expected to last three days, continues.