Robert Sutcliffe A POLICEMAN who threatened to jump off a motorway bridge when confronted about sex abuse allegations was jailed for four years.
Peter Newton, 50, who had 29 years service with West Yorkshire Police, wept in the dock at Leeds Crown Court yesterday as Mr Justice Wakerley said he had committed a "gross abuse" of trust.
Newton, formerly of Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, pleaded guilty to six offences of indecent assault on a girl aged between 11 and 15 over four years.
As well as the four-year sentence he was placed on licence for a further 12 months, forced to register with police under the sex offenders act and automatically disqualified from working with children.
The Yorkshire Post understands that on September 30 last year police persuaded Newton not to jump off the Scammonden Bridge onto the M62 when trying to arrest him. The motorway had to be closed while officers talked him down.
In mitigation Paul Fleming said: "He has lost his reputation and good standing and good character. He has no words to express his sorrow and remorse."
Newton has since resigned from the force.
robert.sutcliffe@ypn.co.uk
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