A serving Welsh police officer has been suspended from duties after he was arrested following an incident in the Colwyn Bay area. The North Wales Police officer has been named as Detective Constable Harshey-Jones.
DC Jones was charged with the offence of operating equipment beneath clothing without consent, contrary to S.67A(1) and (4) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, in relation to the incident on Thursday, June 11. He was subsequently remanded to appear at court on June 16 and granted bail. He will next appear in court for a plea hearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, July 14.
Police Statement on the Matter
North Wales Police added that it would be inappropriate for the force to comment further on the matter at this time. The force has confirmed that the officer remains suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Background and Legal Context
The charge under Section 67A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 relates to the non-consensual operation of equipment beneath clothing, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment. The incident occurred on June 11 in the Colwyn Bay area, a coastal town in Conwy County Borough, Wales.
DC Harshey-Jones was arrested and charged following an investigation by North Wales Police's professional standards department. The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for oversight, as is standard procedure when a police officer is charged with a criminal offence.
Impact on the Community
Colwyn Bay residents have expressed shock at the allegations, with local councillors calling for transparency in the investigation. A spokesperson for the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner stated that they are monitoring the situation closely and emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in the police force.
The officer's next court appearance is scheduled for July 14 at Chester Crown Court, where a plea hearing will take place. Until then, DC Harshey-Jones remains on bail with conditions, which have not been disclosed.
