Dyfed Powys Police Detective found not guilty of sexual assault

Police officer Samuel Garside, 31, was charged with sexual assault by penetration while off-duty in December 2021.

Following the allegation in July 2023, Garside, of Cwmann, near Lampeter, was suspended from his duties with Dyfed-Powys Police.

a trial swansea The Crown Court heard Garside allegedly pushed the woman into a doorway and sexually assaulted her while they were out for the night in Aberaeron.

The prosecution claimed the woman pushed Garside away and that after the incident, Garside grinned and challenged her before walking away.

Garside gave testimony to the jury in which he admitted the sexual act occurred but claimed it was consensual.

He said he and the woman had a conversation that turned “flirtatious” shortly before the alleged incident occurred.

He also claimed the pair “looked” at each other before kissing and briefly engaging in sexual intercourse on the doorstep.

He said that after the action, they walked away together and started a non-flirtatious conversation.

He told Judge Paul Thomas that the woman did not physically resist his advances “no matter what” and that if she had done so he would have “stopped instantly and immediately”.

He denied that the woman pushed or challenged him after the encounter and claimed that the realization that he was cheating on his wife drove him away.

After more than an hour of deliberations, the jury returned a “not guilty” verdict on Thursday.

Detective Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “This was a serious allegation against a person whose job it was to protect the people of Dyfed-Powys and so action was taken swiftly when the report was made.

“DC Garside was suspended with immediate effect while a full and comprehensive investigation was carried out and today’s decision brings the criminal justice process to an end.

“It should be noted that the force will now consider whether any formal action is required from a police officer misconduct perspective, in accordance with the legal framework.

“While the outcome of the criminal case is clearly directly relevant to this assessment, it is important to note that this is an entirely separate matter.

“DC Garside will be suspended from duty whilst this assessment takes place and any possible return to work will depend on the outcome of this assessment.”