Former West Yorkshire Police officer avoids prison sentence over assault and sexual offence
PC Ben Hutchinson will serve a community sentence
A former West Yorkshire Police officer has been spared jailed after admitting to a sexual offence and an assault.
Leeds Crown Court heard 26 year old ex-PC Ben Hutchinson targeted two different women while on a night out in Leeds in August last year.
He admitted to sexual assault on one woman and assault by beating on another.
Appearing for sentencing, the judge told Hutchison to attempt rehab, carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to abstain from alcohol for 90 days.
Hutchison quit West Yorkshire Police in April but will still be subject to misconduct proceedings.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police's Professional Standards Directorate, said: "I am glad that the two victims had the confidence to come forward to report this offending and I hope that they are reassured by the action that has been taken. No one should be made to feel unsafe in this way on a night out.
"Hutchinson has demonstrated a disregard for consent. So many of our officers and staff work day in day out to tackle violence and sexual violence against women and girls and for a then serving police officer to behave in this way is disheartening and something we absolutely will not tolerate.
"These offences have taken place outside of work but while on a night out with work colleagues. We make it clear to all officers and staff the standards and ethical values that we expect of them and that this applies both within the work place and outside it."