UK Edition
Police officer’s fury at drunk-driver who falsely accused him of sexual assault during arrest
The allegation is dismissed after a review of footage but officer says he was at risk of losing everything he had worked for
A police officer who was falsely accused of sexually assaulting a suspected drunk-driver has hit out at the “Machiavellian actions” of the man who has now been jailed.
Gary Marston, 52, was stopped by police in August 2022 by officers from Cambridgeshire Police and arrested for failing to provide a roadside breath sample.
But he later accused one of the arresting officers of putting his hand inside his shorts and groping him during the arrest.
A crime report was immediately made and the force’s Professional Standards Department was informed.
But after reviewing body-worn video footage from the arrest and taking statements at the scene it was determined that no offence had taken place.
Appearing at Peterborough Crown Court, Marston of Stilton, Cambs, admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 15 months.
‘Vile allegation came as shock’
The officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This vile, false allegation came as a shock. I am comfortable managing high-stress situations. However, an allegation of this type has far-reaching and hugely stressful consequences.
“The shadow of a sex offence conviction often will follow an individual, regardless of profession, for life.”
He went on: “I have worked diligently, without complaint and without ever having been found to be anything other than a well-conducted officer for the entirety of my career to date. And then I am falsely accused of a serious sexual offence by a man whose seemingly only motivation for such Machiavellian behaviour is to argue his way out of a relatively minor offence at court.
“This man has placed me unduly and selfishly at risk of losing everything I have worked for in my life and career.”
Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “Police officers do a difficult job, and it is accepted that allegations will be made where we have not given the level of service that members of the public expect, and we should rightly deliver. However, this case highlights very clearly that officers and staff are people behind the uniform.
“The impact upon families and colleagues cannot be lost on anyone when such false allegations are made and, in this case, a criminal conviction for perverting the course of justice resulted. I cannot begin to imagine the impact on the officer personally and across their family.
“The officer did nothing wrong, yet this case will live with them for a long period of time. Investigations of such a nature take time to conclude but it cannot be right that someone who blatantly lied from the very start should be able to have this effect on one of my officers.”