PC told woman he could 'get away' with groping

A police constable who told a woman he could "get away" with groping her because of his job has been give a suspended prison sentence decades later.

Albert Jardine, 79, who worked in Newcastle until his retirement, was found guilty of a historical count of indecent assault after his victim reported it in May 2022, the city's crown court heard.

The woman said the impact of his actions had stayed with her for years and she still saw his "grinning face" in her mind every day.

Sentencing him to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Judge Julie Clemitson said Jardine's behaviour was "lewd and disgusting" and he "violated the trust" placed in police officers.

Jardine, of Millbrook in Felling, Gateshead, gave the woman tight bear hugs during which she could feel he was aroused and poured water on her shirt to try and make it see-through, prosecutor Christopher Rose said.

He also made "thrusting motions as if having sex" and made "lewd comments or jokes", the prosecutor said.

When she complained, Jardine told her "I can get away it, I'm a PC no-one will believe you", the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said it took her years to pluck up the strength and courage to report Jardine's behaviour.

She said she felt "embarrassed" and "aggrieved" and had "always wanted answers" from Jardine.

The woman said she thought the abuse was a factor in her depression and she felt "grateful" jurors had believed her.

In mitigation, Andrew Walker said the woman had been heard, believed and vindicated, while Jardine was "embarrassed and ashamed beyond belief after being convicted of an offence of this nature".

Mr Walker said: "A good deal of just desserts have already been satisfied by way of the conviction alone."

Judge Clemitson said Jardine laughed about his behaviour at the time but the woman found it "deeply unpleasant" and was "quite afraid" of him.

She said what could be seen as "relatively limited violations" could cause "lifelong harm" to victims.

"You were working as a serving police officer and any members of the public were entitled to trust you would protect them rather than harm them," Judge Clemitson said.

Instead, Jardine "violated that trust" and, like other officers convicted of sexual offences, risked damaging the public's faith in the police, the judge added.

She said a prison term was merited because it was "important" victims felt able to speak out, perpetrators understand they "cannot hide behind a badge or rely on a position of authority" and the public sees those who "break the oath to protect and serve" are punished.

But due to his age and lack of any other convictions, the judge said the great-grandfather's sentence could be suspended.

The court heard contesting the trial had already cost Jardine £7,000 and he was ordered to pay a further £3,000 towards prosecution costs.

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