A serving Royal Military Police officer has been found guilty of a shocking act of hypocrisy and misconduct, after he drunkenly sexually assaulted a female colleague mere hours after attending an official army course on unacceptable sexual behaviour.
The disgraced officer, Corporal James Hockey, was based at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding in Southwick Park, Hampshire, when the incident occurred. The court martial heard how the 33-year-old attended the mandatory briefing on appropriate conduct, only to later get heavily intoxicated and assault his colleague at a social event.
A Betrayal of Trust and Training
The hearing was told that Cpl Hockey deliberately grabbed the woman's breast during a gathering at the Brewers Arms pub in Fareham. The victim, a junior colleague, was left feeling violated and disgusted by the actions of a man who was supposed to uphold the highest standards of the military police.
This blatant breach of trust occurred despite the course specifically covering respect, inclusivity, and the very definitions of sexual assault. Prosecutors highlighted the profound irony, stating the course was "fresh in his mind" at the time of the offence.
Consequences and Fallout
Instead of facing a custodial sentence, Cpl Hockey was handed a severe reprimand and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to his victim. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.
The case has raised serious questions about culture and accountability within the specialist police force tasked with investigating other soldiers. It underscores a troubling disconnect between policy and practice, even among those entrusted with enforcing military law.
