'I can get away with it, I'm a PC'

SERVING POLICE OFFICER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC

- By ROB KENNEDY Court Reporter

A SERVING police officer sexually assaulted a member of the public and told her: 'I can get away with it, I'm a PC, no-one will believe you.'

Albert Jardine was a PC based in Newcastle when he subjected her to “lewd and disgusting” behaviour.

A court heard he would regularly grab her and thrust against her and on one occasion threw water on her blouse to create a wet T-shirt look.

The Northumbria Police officer's behaviour was reported to an inspector at the time and the professional standards department investigated but took no action and Jardine retired on medical grounds soon afterwards.

Decades later, his victim, having seen other historic cases being dealt with, plucked up the courage to report him. Jardine, now a 79-yearold great-grandfather, of Millbrook, Felling, Gateshead, was convicted of indecent assault by a jury and has now been given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.