Merseyside student officer sacked after hitting colleague
Wilkinson said she had been "particularly anxious" about going out and had not eaten anything before she had started drinking. This meant her memory of the night was "patchy and vague" and she said she was not in a position to challenge witness statements, the tribunal heard.She said she accepted that she had hit one of her colleagues after speaking to police trainers and other colleagues who were present on the night out, but added she had no recollection of the incident.She acknowledged that she had behaved inappropriately and said she felt "disappointment, shame and embarrassment". However, she denied grabbing a colleague inappropriately. She acknowledged it was a possibility she might have grabbed the colleague, but said she did not want to admit to something which may not have occurred.The panel heard her colleague had not made the complaint, and the only witness to the incident had indicated he wanted to retract his statement about the second allegation. In personal mitigation, the panel was told Wilkinson, who joined the force at 19, had been an exemplary student officer and role model who was well regarded by her peers. However both allegations were found to be proven following a two-day hearing.
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