A Dyfed Powys police detective has been found not guilty of sexual assault

Detective Constable Samuel Garside, 31, was charged with sexual assault by penetration in December 2021 while off duty.

Following allegations made in July 2023, Garside, of Cwmann, near Lampeter, was suspended from his duties by Dyfed-Powys Police.

Hearing at Swansea The Crown Court heard Garside allegedly pushed the woman into a door and sexually assaulted her as she spent the evening at Aberaeron.

Prosecutors alleged that after the incident, the woman pushed Garside and challenged him, after which he smirked and walked away.

Garside gave grand jury testimony in which he admitted the sex act had occurred, but claimed it was consensual.

He said he and the woman engaged in a conversation that turned “flirtatious” shortly before the alleged incident.

He further claimed that the pair “looked at each other” before they kissed and briefly engaged in a sexual act in the doorway.

He said that after the act, they left together and engaged in a non-flirty conversation.

He told Judge Paul Thomas that the woman “did not physically resist his advances” and that if she did, he would “immediately and immediately stop.”

He denied that the woman pushed or challenged him after the meeting, claiming that the knowledge that he had cheated on his wife caused him to pull away.

After more than an hour of deliberations, the jury returned Thursday with a verdict of “not guilty.”

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “This was a serious allegation made against someone whose job it was to protect the people of Dyfed-Powys and swift action was taken following a report.

“DC Garside was immediately suspended pending a full and thorough investigation, and today’s verdict brings an end to the criminal trial.

“It is important to note that the police will now consider whether any formal action should be taken in relation to misconduct by a police officer, in line with the legal framework.

“While the outcome of the criminal proceedings will have a direct bearing on this assessment, it is important to emphasize that this is an entirely separate issue.

“DC Garside will remain suspended from his duties while this assessment is being conducted and his potential return to work will depend on the outcome of this assessment.”