A Metropolitan Police inspector has been cleared of sexually assaulting three female colleagues during a night out.
Dave Newman, 39, was on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting colleagues during one night out in Soho, central London, in 2023.
The jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on Thursday afternoon to the three counts of sexual assault against three different women.
Newman, of Luton, showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out.
His Honour Philip Bartle KC said he had “considerable concerns about the way the case was investigated”, adding it was “inexplicable that people did not provide a statement until very late”.
He said one police officer “was not asked to provide a witness statement until the start of the trial which I frankly find completely baffling”.
Speaking after the not guilty verdicts were delivered, the judge said: “We know that others were asked to provide their witness statements very late.”
He said “criminal proceedings should take priority whether it is the police force or any other organisation”.
The judge added that he found it “very troubling” that the Soho drinks event took place.
He added: “It seems quite extraordinary that a senior police officer would host a drinks party in which it was inevitable that people would drink too much.
“I do find it very troubling that this took place at all with shots being handed out.”
