A police officer who inappropriately touched two coworkers while intoxicated at a Christmas party has spared jail time but has been had to sign the Sexual Offender Register.
Last year, while celebrating the holiday season in a nightclub in Chester, Gareth Duggan, 38, grabbed the buttocks of one cop and put his hand under the dress of another officer.
When the victims reported the occurrence, they were suspected of fabricating the claims to obtain a promotion, despite the rumored predator’s reputation.
Warrington Magistrates’ Court sentenced Duggan to a 32-week suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid labour, and 35 days of rehabilitative activities after he admitted to two counts of sexual assault.
Duggan was given a suspended 32-week sentence after pleading guilty to two charges of sexual assault against two female police officers.
Duggan served as a police officer for more than 15 years, but he is set to resign prior to a January misconduct meeting.
In addition, he must sign the Sexual Offender Register for seven years and compensate each victim with £1,000.
Duggan is anticipated to resign from the police service prior to a January disciplinary meeting, at which he is anticipated to be sacked.
When the event occurred in Chester’s Revolution nightclub, he had been a police officer with the North Wales Police for 15 years.
The prosecutor, Alex Morgan, stated that the Christmas celebration brought together cops from various jurisdictions.
“During the time that the defendant was in the bar, he sexually touched the bottom of one of the complainants. Prior to that, the defendant had placed his arm around her waist, making her uneasy.
“After a short time, the defendant stood between her and another female.”
The defendant’s arm was placed around her waist before being placed around her derriere. It was intentional. She felt his fingers enter the crevice of her derriere. She could feel the pressure of his fingers through her clothing and undergarments.
She kicked out at his ankle with her foot to encourage him to stop as a result of being shocked by the situation.
During the party, Mr. Morgan also described a second assault on another employee.
Additionally, her colleague recalled a sexual assault from the same night out. He clung to her for what seemed like an eternity and squeezed her waist, causing her great discomfort.
‘She instructed him to cease on numerous occasions. She made it quite clear she was serious.
While his hand was around her waist, he brought his face to her neck and made kissing sounds. The prosecutor stated that his hand then moved between her legs and behind her dress before touching her vagina over clothing.
His fingers brushed against her bottom cheek in the region of her vagina. She was not wearing tights or leggings, but she was wearing underpants.
It caused her considerable distress and discomfort.
Each victim will receive £1,000 in compensation after intoxicated Duggan molested them at a holiday party last year.
Duggan’s attorney told the Warrington Magistrates’ Court that his client ‘disgraced himself’ and was fortunate to have a wife who supported him.
His wife and the two victims were there in the audience.
One of the women, a detective who works with rape victims, stated in a statement, ‘When he put his arm around me, I was astonished, but when he touched me in that manner, I was horrified. I had no idea what to do. I wanted to tell someone, but I didn’t want to ruin the evening for everyone.
The investigator stated that she had always encouraged victims of sexual assault to file charges, but she now understood how ‘exhausting’ it was to do so.
She also said that there were rumors among her coworkers that Duggan was a predator and had previously assaulted someone, but she never imagined it would happen to her.
The victim, incensed that Duggan received a full year of sergeant’s pay for the incident, wished there had been a trial so she could have had her say.
It appears unjust. I am ultimately relieved that Gareth Duggan is no longer a member of the police force. It is a privilege to serve in the police department.
In mitigation, defense attorney Daniel Weed stated that Duggan suffered from PTSD as a result of the traumatic incidents he encountered during his 15 years of front-line policing.
“Police work on the front lines is not a pretty place at all. That has an effect on the person. For everyone whose mental health was affected by a certain factor.
Concerns exist over his mental health to the extent that it may be PTSD and that he is undergoing counseling in this regard.
Mr. Weed stated that Duggan had “disgraced himself” and acknowledged that he would be fired during the January misconduct hearing.
In addition to losing his employment and monthly salary of £2,100, Mr. Weed told the court that Duggan’s wife had also been affected.
The attorney stated, “He is really fortunate to have someone ready to accompany him to court and be his wife; she sees something positive in him.”
He is a damaged and shamed guy. Sending him to prison would break him more than anything else.
As a result of 15 years of front-line police, according to the defense, Duggan struggled with mental health issues such as PTSD.
Duggan was also ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid labor and 35 days of rehabilitative activities with the probation department. He must also sign the Sexual Offender Register for a period of seven years.
District Judge Jack McGarva told him, “As a police officer, the public and your peers have the right to view you as a role model and someone they can rely on.” You have utterly let them down. Any penalty must demonstrate that police officers are beyond reproach.
The judge highlighted the case of PC Wayne Couzens as an example of some of the ‘very awful things’ committed by police officers in recent years.
It diminishes the standing of all other police officers. Every other police officer is diminished by your actions.
Judge McGarva emphasized the impact of the assault on the victims and stated that Duggan’s intoxication was not an acceptable explanation.
“I must remember that this conviction will have a significant effect on you and your family. But let’s not forget that you caused harm to others. This was not a momentary contact. It was significant in both instances. It goes beyond merely brushing against someone in a sexual manner.
It was a very significant encounter that will likely affect them for the remainder of their lives. They will never forget how dreadful that feeling was.
“It is true that you have encountered some pretty terrible things in your life as a police officer, but how many tens of thousands of police officers in Wales have not behaved in this manner? It does not make you behave like this.
The judge stated, “Something really wrong has caused you to behave in this manner.”