PCSO cleared of sexual assaults on colleagues

A police community support officer (PCSO) has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting two colleagues.

Paul Simpkins, 43, of Huddersfield, denied three counts of sexual assault alleged to have taken place in February and July 2022.

Mr Simpkins, a PCSO based in the Kirklees district, was cleared of all counts by a jury on Wednesday following a trial at Bradford Crown Court.

West Yorkshire Police said his suspension from duty would now be reviewed alongside any misconduct proceedings.

Mr Simpkins was accused of unwanted contact with a colleague in a taxi and in a bar, and inappropriately touching another man he worked with in a hotel room.

He told the trial the first complainant had also touched him, while the second incident did not happen.

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