A MARRIED police constable forced a woman, who had been a crime suspect, to touch his genital area, a court heard.

Essex Police officer Neil Culham, 42, made the alleged move on the woman whom he had investigated over claims she harassed her ex-boyfriend.

Culham, of Ardleigh Road, Dedham, is also said to have told the woman she had nice breasts and tried to “stick his tongue in her mouth’’ after offering to drive her home from the police station in Clacton.

The 32-year-old woman later complained to police and an investigation was launched.

Culham, an officer with 12 years’ experience, was charged with two counts of sexual assault.

He denies both charges.

Ipswich Crown Court heard evidence of the alleged attacks, which are said to have taken place in November 2012 and January 2013. The prosecution claims Culham offered to drive the woman home after she was arrested and taken to Clacton Police Station.

On the journey, Culham is said to have undone his seatbelt before pulling over and touching the woman's thigh telling her “you have nice eyes’’.

Culham then allegedly tried to stick his tongue in the woman's mouth before he drove the suspect home. The court heard in the following January police decided to take no further action against the woman for the allegation of harassment.

But when the officer called the woman, he was said to have told her she had to get to the police station within 15 minutes.

When she arrived, she found the building appeared to be empty, but Culham ushered her into a side room.

It is alleged whilst in there, he sexually assaulted her. James Sawyer, prosecuting, said: “She had to sign paperwork and he told her ‘don’t go, you are not going. If you go, I have no reason to see you again’.

“She felt in danger. Mr Culham said to her ‘stick your tongue down my throat and I will let you go’.’’ The officer is then said to have told the woman she had nice breasts before allegedly kissing the top of one of them.

Mr Sawyer told the court the woman, who has mental health issues, pushed Culham away.

However, he was said to have put his hand in her groin area, before allegedly taking her hand and placing it on his groin.

Culham is alleged to have said: ‘Look what you have done to me’, allegedly indicating to her he was aroused.

As the woman left the room, Culham is said to have touched her inappropriately. The woman told friends and her partner about the alleged attack.

The jurywas shown video interviews with the woman who said: “I was thinking, he is a police officer.

He has got the control, he has the car. He is taking me home.’’ The court heard Culham had made contact with the woman on numerous occasions after her arrest, making excuses to go to her house.

Culham is said to have an explanation for why he was close to the woman’s home.

! The trial continues.