Dorset Police officer 'groped woman on table at her home'

Dorset Police’s Detective Constable Nick Gravenor sexually assaulted the woman at her home, it is alleged.

He is said to have made several sexualised remarks to her, including telling her she had a “nice bottom”.

The detective allegedly turned up at her home unannounced while he was off duty before leaving her feeling “frightened” when he grabbed hold of her and kissed her.

It is alleged that he lifted her up on a table before touching her sexually.

The incident left the woman, named only as ‘M’, fearing she would be raped, it was heard.

DC Gravenor also allegedly took the woman to a darkened tunnel at a Napoleonic fort on Portland and molested her, it is alleged.

The detective is facing five breaches of the force’s code of professional standards.

Charles Apthorp, representing Dorset Police at DC Gravenor’s misconduct hearing, said: “These allegations relate to separate incidents of misconduct between March 18 and October 1, 2015.”

Mr Apthorp said on March 4 that year, DC Gravenor took M into a “pitch black” tunnel at Portland, “came up behind her and attempted to scare her” before ‘touching her inappropriately’.

The most serious allegation relates to an incident on August 14 2015, when DC Gravenor went to M’s flat before lifting her onto the table and kissing and touching her, Mr Apthorpe said.

“She felt weak, frightened, and was concerned she was going to be raped,” he said.

“He removed her top and bra, he took his top off.

“It was against her wishes.

“The contact was unwanted, it was not consented to.”

DC Gravenor denies making inappropriate sexual language on duty, inappropriate touching on duty, accessing police information about the woman without a legitimate policing purpose, unwanted sexual advances while off duty and abusing his position to pursue a sexual or emotional relationship.

The hearing, which is currently taking place at the Dorset Police headquarters at Winfrith, continues.