A police officer has appeared in court to face accusations of sexual contact with a woman while on duty on Christmas Eve.
Sergeant Lee Cocking, 38, was accused of misconduct following an alleged incident in a squad car on 24 December 2017.
The Avon and Somerset officer appeared before Gloucester Crown Court to face a judge for the first time on Thursday, but did not enter a plea to the single charge he faced.
Mr Cocking denied he was a willing participant in the sexual conduct and claimed he was “faced with a threat… if he did not participate”, reported Bristol Live.
His representative, Ray Tully, told the court: “He was sitting in the driver's seat. He was the subject of sexual contact. He has not wilfully committed misconduct.
“His post-traumatic stress disorder presented itself in how he processed and reacted to what happened.
“He was faced with a threat that if he did not participate, he would be subject to a complaint about him,” added Mr Tully.
Judge Ian Lawrie QC told Mr Cocking to return to court for a further hearing on 13 March and he was released on unconditional bail.
He has been suspended from duty while legal proceedings continue, Avon and Somerset police confirmed.
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