West Yorkshire Police officer jailed after sexually assaulting woman
Jonathan Holmes was sentences to over two years in prison
Last updated 9th Nov 2024
A former West Yorkshire Police officer has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman and trying to cover his tracks.
PC Jonathan Holmes, who had been based in the Bradford area, was given a 26-month jail sentence, as well as ten years on the Sex Offenders Register.
He had been found guilty at a previous court hearing of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court on Friday (November 8th).
However, the 24-year-old also was found not guilty of attempted rape and a second charge of perverting the course of justice.
The charges related to an incident that took place in the Bradford region in October of 2021, when a woman was seriously sexually assaulted.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Holmes had known the victim he committed the offence against, and had been off duty when he assaulted her.
Following his arrest, his phone was seized by police and examine, where he had restored the phone to its factory settings in an attempt to delete the messages between him and the victim.
Speaking about the ruling, Detective Chief Superintendent Nicola Bryar from West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate praised the victim's ability to speak up.
"The victim has shown immense courage throughout this judicial process," Bryar said.
"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."
She added that Holmes has been suspended from the force and a separate investigation into police misconduct will now resume so that he cannot work within the policing sector again.
"We need the public to have the confidence to report sexual offences, regardless of the occupation of the perpetrator," she added.
"I would urge anyone who has been a victim to please report it. I hope that this prosecution shows that we do listen and will take action."