A Greater Manchester Police officer has been sacked after he sexually assaulted his colleague while intoxicated on a night out. PC James Holt told the victim he had a “large penis” before touching him inappropriately, a court heard last September. The victim has said he felt “violated” following the incident.

Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates’ Court heard that Holt made inappropriate comments to his victim, claiming to have a “sizeable package” before proceeding to grab the victim’s genitals over his clothes, according to Manchester Evening News.

It was also revealed that Holt had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol before the incident, which happened while the pair were on a night out in Manchester city centre with fellow GMP trainees in April 2021.

Holt, who became a member of the police force in September 2020, was accused of grabbing his victim’s penis twice during the night out.

The victim said he immediately felt uncomfortable and “violated” by the assault, and informed colleagues of the incident.

Following a trial, Holt was found guilty of sexual assault and was sentenced to a nine-month community order, ordered to participate in an alcohol abstinence program, and was ordered to pay £700 in costs, as well as a £95 victim surcharge.

Yesterday, Holt was officially dismissed from the police force at a misconduct hearing held at GMP headquarters.

He has also been placed on the College of Policing’s Barred List.

Although Holt was said to be “remorseful” during the trial, he did not attend the misconduct hearing.

Following his dismissal, GMP’s Chief Constable Stephen Watson said there was “no justification for his actions”.

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In full, Mr Watson’s statement said: “His actions warrant dismissal after gross misconduct and his conviction discredits the police service and ultimately public confidence.

“He breached the standards of professional behaviour after his deliberate actions were not consented. The seriousness of this has resulted in a criminal offence of sexual assault and although under the influence of alcohol his actions were unlawful and deliberate, there is no justification for his actions.

“It cannot be ignored the public concern resulting from this and the professional conduct of a police officer sexually assaulting another is acute and pronounced. It is a catastrophic lapse of judgement on his behalf and the wider public would hold the notion that officers cannot commit criminal offences themselves.

“The misconduct has come at a terrible cost to him after being fairly convicted of a sexual offence after what is believed to have been an early fledging career. It remains clear however that none of these early positive personal attributes outweigh the potential for the loss of confidence that would ensue if Mr Holt were to be permitted to continue to perform in the office of constable.”

Chief Con Stephen Watson slammed Mr Holt’s behaviour and said: “Had (he) not resigned therefore, I would have dismissed him from the service.”

And Det Sup Phil Duffy of the Professional Standards Branch said: “Those who enforce the law, as with any other person, cannot break the law. If they do, not only will they feel the consequences of the criminal court but can expect to be held to account by the force.

“In Holt’s case his behaviour was entirely incompatible with his role as a then police officer and this is why he now finds himself barred from policing for life. This is yet another case that demonstrates the resolve of the Professional Standards Branch to purge such individuals from its ranks.

“Whilst we are transparently demonstrating a high rate of dismissals, we are hopeful this provides our communities with the confidence that GMP have set a high bar for professionalism and those that cannot reach it will not be part of our continuing journey of improvement.”

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