Former detective cleared of sex toy assault

A former West Yorkshire Police detective has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman with a sex toy.

Claudine Binns, 52, denied charges of assault by penetration and attempted assault by penetration and was cleared by a jury following a four-day trial at Bradford Crown Court.

The complainant said she had been assaulted by Binns in 2022 but the defendant told police the allegations were "malicious fabrication" and financially motivated.

Giving evidence to the jury, Binns, who joined the force in 1990, said she had been "devastated" when she was arrested over the allegations.

She described the allegations as "complete lies" and said that any suggestion that she had spiked the complainant's food or drink was absolutely ridiculous.

The jury returned their not guilty verdicts after almost four hours of deliberation.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed the former detective, who worked in the Bradford district, was suspended in May 2022 and retired in September the same year.

A spokesperson added: "Following the result of this court case, misconduct proceedings will be considered against the former officer."

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