Ex-WPC in sex claim against sergeant

Published on Saturday 12 May 2007 01:55

A FORMER Scots police officer claims she was sexually harassed by a male superior who exposed himself to her and asked how much sex would cost.

The 36-year-old former constable, who cannot be identified, broke down in tears at an employment tribunal in Glasgow as she gave evidence.

The hearing was told the 50-year-old former police sergeant accused of harassment called at her home on one occasion and tried to kiss her with his trouser zip undone.

The woman is claiming sex discrimination against the officer and a police force.

The tribunal was told the sergeant at the centre of the allegations had driven the officer home after a Christmas outing in December 2003 and she had invited him in for a drink. But she claimed he ended up on top of her and tried to kiss her when she fell down the stairs and he helped her up. She said: "I tried to push him off. I struggled and told him to get off as he was trying to kiss me."

She said next day at work the officer quizzed her about her relationship with another man and asked if it was sexual. "I said I wasn't happy with the comments. He further went on to say he had asked about [the name of the station] to find out who I had been with and who I hadn't. I said it was none of his business."

Days later she said he contacted her to say he had to speak to her urgently and she agreed he could call round. "He needed a shoulder to cry on". But she went on: "Next thing he stood up and he came over to try and kiss me. At this point I noticed his flies were undone and his penis was showing."

She said she felt she couldn't complain about him because of previous experiences in the police.

"I knew that I would lose my career. He was my superior officer. I was never going to be believed."

The officer was discharged on ill-health grounds after an eight-year career as a result of an injury received in the course of her duty.

The police force and her former male colleague deny sex discrimination. The hearing continues.