'Sex attack' officer trial begins

The former police head denies all the charges

A police officer groped and abused colleagues and members of the public, a court has heard.

Sergeant David Roythorne, 52, was a bully who told some of his victims "RHIP - Rank Has Its Privileges" after subjecting them to sex attacks.

Mr Roythorne, of Westmoor, North Tyneside, denies nine indecent assaults and three sexual assaults.

The trial of the now retired Northumbria Police officer is continuing at Newcastle Crown Court.

He is also accused of one assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

But he believed his actions were just horseplay and part of the "locker room culture", the hearing heard.

He also frequently grabbed other officers and members of the public by the crotch, and would thrust his genitals into other officers' faces and simulate sex. But prosecutor Christopher Stables QC said Mr Roythorne's bullying was so bad one man became ill with depression and tried to kill himself.

The charges followed an IPCC investigation into the incidents, which were alleged to have happened between July 2001 and August 2006.

This man was an aggressive, bad-tempered man who was ill suited to a position of authority over others Prosecutor Christopher Stables

Mr Stables said Mr Roythorne was an intimidating man who had created a climate of fear which made his victims feel helpless to complain.

He said: "It is the crown's case that this man was an aggressive, bad-tempered man who was ill-suited to a position of authority over others.

"He was a bully who created a climate of fear and intimidation and would speak in an inappropriate manner to police officers and civilians.

"He created the impression he was bulletproof - untouchable - saying he had friends in high places."

Mr Roythorne has been a serving police officer since 1988, when he joined the Metropolitan Police in London.

He transferred to Northumbria Police in 1997 and retired from the police force in May 2007.