Senior police officer to go on trial over sexual assault allegation

Monday, 2 November 2026 at 12:48

A senior police officer accused of sexual assault will stand trial.

Temporary Superintendent Robert James Saunders, known as Jim, entered a not-guilty plea at Taunton Crown Court.

The charge alleges that on 10 June 2022 in Exeter he "intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting".

The 48-year-old has been suspended by Devon and Cornwall Police.

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A six-day trial is scheduled to begin on 21 February 2028, with a pre-trial review on 24 January that year.

Mr Saunders, of Bodmin, Cornwall, was granted unconditional bail.

Sky News

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Senior police officer to go on trial over sexual assault allegation

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