CARNFORTH policeman Det Con Stephen Gardner was cleared last week of indecently assaulting a female colleague on a police night.

But after the trial the judge said the policeman's behaviour had been "wholly inappropriate."

The jury took just 10 minutes to clear Mr Gardner, 38, who is married with two children.

The female detective alleged he had put his hand between her legs. Mr Gardner told the jury he had only touched the back of her knee. He added she had been finding a training course difficult and he had "felt sorry for her." Judge Townend made his comments in a discussion over costs.

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