Police officer jailed for sexual assault

A police officer has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman and trying to cover up his actions by deleting the contents of his phone.

PC Jonathan Holmes, 24, who was based in Bradford, was found guilty of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.

West Yorkshire Police officer Holmes knew his victim and assaulted her in October 2021 when he was off duty, the court heard.

He was jailed for two years and two months at a hearing on Friday.

After his arrest, Holmes' phone was seized and officers found he had restored it to factory settings a short time earlier, a force spokesperson said.

He was immediately suspended from duty and will later face a misconduct hearing to stop him from working for police following his release from prison.

Holmes was found not guilty of two further charges of attempted rape and perverting the course of justice.

Det Ch Supt Nicola Bryar said: "The victim has shown immense courage throughout this judicial process.

"Holmes sought to hamper the police investigation and has put the victim through the ordeal of a trial by refusing to admit the sexual offence he committed against her.

"He has now been made to face justice for his actions."

Holmes was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

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