Police hit back as judge criticises investigation of cleared officer
Dave Newman, 39, from Luton, had been on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting colleagues
Last updated 15th Aug 2026
The Metropolitan Police has hit back after a judge criticised an investigation into one of the force’s inspectors, who was cleared of sexually assaulting three female colleagues during a night out.
Dave Newman, 39, from Luton, had been on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting colleagues during one night out in Soho, central London, in 2023.
On Thursday afternoon, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts to the three counts of sexual assault against three different women.
His Honour Philip Bartle KC then 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”.
A Met Police spokesperson said on Friday: “We rebut any suggestion that this matter was not thoroughly investigated due to the report involving a serving police officer.
“This has been heard in court with the jury returning not guilty verdicts on all three counts.”
The judge also said on Thursday that he found it “very troubling” 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.”