A SERVING West Yorkshire Police officer is to face trial over three counts of sexual assault against the same woman at a nightclub.

Gary Cavanagh, 59, is accused of kissing the woman’s head, and touching her back and bottom without her consent at the Leeds city centre club. 

Cavanagh, who lives in Leeds, spoke only to confirm his name and to plead not guilty to all three charges at Bradford Crown Court. He is currently suspended from his post.

His trial, which is expected to last three days, will begin on April 14, 2025.

He was bailed to reside at his home address and to have no contact with any prosecution witness.

Sexual assault charges against a second officer with the force have been dropped.

As reported in the T&A yesterday, Simon Clarke, 53, also a serving officer with West Yorkshire Police, had been accused of “smacking” a woman’s bottom with a lanyard at a police station and, on another occasion, kissing her arm without her consent.

Mr Clarke, from Leeds, appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on January 8.

The Crown Prosecution Service issued a “notice of discontinuance” in respect of his case. 

However, he remains suspended from duty pending the outcome of a misconduct investigation.