Police officer in court ‘for having sex with woman in patrol car on Christmas Eve’

Sergeant Lee Cocking claims he faced threat if he did not participate

The Avon and Somerset officer appeared before Gloucester Crown Court (Google)

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.

Additional reporting by agencies