A FEMALE police officer faces court after she was charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Police Constable Fiona Anderson, 32, will appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
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She was arrested and bailed last year over two alleged sexual assaults which took place in Cardiff in 2018.
PC Anderson, from Exeter, was not on duty with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time of the alleged offences.
She has been suspended from duty by the force since her initial arrest.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “An officer is due to appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
“Police Constable Fiona Anderson, aged 32 and from Exeter, is charged with two counts of sexual assault.
“The charges relate to two incidents reported to have taken place in Cardiff in 2018; PC Anderson was not on duty at the time.
“PC Anderson was initially arrested and bailed in March 2023. She has remained suspended from duty since her initial arrest.”
What is sexual assault?
HERE is the Rape Crisis charity’s explainer about sexual assault:
The legal definition of sexual assault in England and Wales is when someone intentionally touches another person in a sexual manner, without that person’s consent.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 says that someone commits sexual assault if all of the following happens:
- They intentionally touch another person.
- The touching is sexual.
- The other person does not consent to the touching.
- They do not reasonably believe that the other person consents.
- The touching can be with any part of the body or with anything else.
It could include:
- It could include:
- Kissing.
- Touching someone’s genitals, breasts or bottom – including through clothing.
- Touching any other part of the body for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, stroking someone’s thigh or rubbing their back.
- Pressing up against another person for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner.
- The perpetrator making someone else touch them in a sexual manner.
- Touching someone’s clothing if done for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, lifting up someone’s skirt.
However, please know that this is not a full list. Find out more on the Rape Crisis website.