Drunk police inspector sexually assaulted two women by grabbing their bottoms at Xmas party
A police inspector who got drunk and sexually assaulted two women at a Christmas party is facing the sack after pleading guilty this week.
Lee Morgan, 45, who is an acting inspector at Cleveland Police, admitted touching and grabbing the backsides of two women during the festive celebrations in December last year.
Morgan, who was off-duty at the time, also made comments throughout the night to his second victim, Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor Rachel Butt said Morgan became “more and more intoxicated” as the night progressed and touched the first victim two or three times on her bottom.
Morgan then walked behind his second victim second woman and grabbed her from behind, with both incidents caught on CCTV.
The first victim told the court how a “boundary had been crossed”, while the second victim stated she “didn't consider herself to be a victim of a sex assault”.
She said: “I don't recall being bothered at that time. I've not been affected since.”
Three further sexual assault charges were withdrawn by the CPS during the hearing.
Defending, Mr Hauge said that the “root cause of the problem is alcohol” and Morgan has taken steps to address his actions, including counselling.
Morgan, of Ingleby Barwick, North Yorkshire, is now expected to lose his job after pleading guilty to the assaults.
District judge Helen Cousins said there are multiple victims and ordered a pre-sentence report, ahead of sentencing at Teesside Crown Court on 14 November.
