A drunken police officer who sexually assaulted two women at a Christmas party has quit the force as he faced the prospect of being sacked next week.

Cleveland Police acting inspector Lee Morgan tapped and grabbed the bums of two women while enjoying Christmas festivities in December, last year.

The drunken 45-year-old also made comments throughout the night to his second victim before also grabbing her bottom.

Morgan admitted two charges of sexual assault by touching at Teesside Magistrates’ Court last month and is now facing a gross misconduct hearing.

The force says that the officer’s behaviour breached the standard in respect of integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; and was discreditable conduct.

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The allegations are that on December 15, 2021, at Yarm, he intentionally touched a female aged 16 or over, namely witness A’s bottom, and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

And also on December 15, 2021, at Yarm, he intentionally touched a female aged 16 or over, namely witness B’s bottom, and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

At the time of the offences he was the most senior officer on the night out and was posted in the force's control room.

TPI Morgan is due to attend a gross misconduct disciplinary hearing next Wednesday in Thornaby.

If he is found to have breached standards, he will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list preventing him from working for any other force in the country.

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