Police officer sacked after biting woman's breast

Jonny Manning
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
PA Media A stock image of the back of a police officer wearing a yellow hi-vis vest with blue and grey checks running down the sides. 'Police' is written in the middle of the vest in white letters in a blue box. The officer is also wearing a black long-sleeved top underneath.PA Media
PC Ian Coverdale has been dismissed without notice from Cleveland Police

A police officer has been dismissed after he was found to have touched and bitten a woman's breast in a pub.

A Cleveland Police misconduct hearing found PC Ian Coverdale's actions breached professional standards and he was sacked without notice.

During the four-day hearing at Scotswood House in Thornaby, Mr Coverdale admitted he had put his head between the victim's breasts but claimed any bite was "accidental".

The misconduct panel found his account to be "untruthful" and his actions in December 2023 were found to have amounted to gross misconduct.

A misconduct proceedings determination report stated that Mr Coverdale's account of the events was "unpersuasive, lacked cogency and in some respects was contradicted by CCTV footage from the public house".

"His account in a number of respects was not capable of belief," it read.

Google Scotswood House in Thornaby. It is a large four-storey building made from red bricks. Similar buildings stand on either side of it and a large car park is located in front of the main entrance.Google
Ian Coverdale was dismissed from Cleveland Police at a hearing at Scotswood House in Thornaby

Temporary Supt Karen Naunton, who is also Cleveland Police's head of the directorate of standards and ethics, said Mr Coverdale's behaviour was "totally unacceptable".

"The victim provided very compelling evidence to the panel, and I would like to thank her for coming forward," she said.

"Any officer who does not uphold the standards of behaviour that are expected of them, and brings the police service into disrepute, can expect to be held to account for their actions.

"Where necessary, those officers will also be removed from policing and placed on the barred list."

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