The officer is accused of grabbing, groping, stroking and pinching the three colleagues.

12:12, Tue, Aug 4, 2026 Updated: 12:13, Tue, Aug 4, 2026

A police inspector allegedly sexually assaulted three female colleagues on the dancefloor during a night out in a Soho bar, a court has heard. Dave Newman, 39, is alleged to have "grabbed, groped, stroked and pinched his way around the dancefloor" at the central London venue, Southwark Crown Court was told.

Charlotte Godber, prosecuting, told how one alleged victim froze when the defendant – then a police officer – placed his hand on her groin, above her clothes, for around two seconds. Another described being “very drunk” when Newman started “grinding behind her”, jurors heard.

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People shopping on Carnaby Street at Christmas

The alleged incidents took place in a Soho venue (Image: Getty Images)

He is accused of then placing his hand on her waist and left hip before touching her vagina above her clothing.

The third complainant alleges he grabbed her bottom.

The defendant, from Luton, who wore a grey suit with his hair in a top knot bun during the hearing, did not answer questions during his police interview, the court heard.

He has denied three counts of sexual assault against three different women, who cannot be identified as they are alleged victims of sexual assault.

“The touching was not wanted, it was not consented to by the women he touched”, the prosecutor said.

“All the officers were, of course, off duty at the bar, and that seems to have given Inspector Newman an unusual sense of liberty to do whatever he wanted with the women present, regardless of whether they wanted to be touched or not.”

The trial continues.