A married Warrant Officer within the British Military accused of forcibly kissing a superior feminine officer of their workplace has informed a court docket martial that it was her who leapt into his arms and wrapped her legs round his thighs – including that he ‘did not fancy her in any respect’.
WO1 Peter Simons denied cornering his colleague, telling Bulford Army Courtroom in Wiltshire that later that day the pair embraced once more and it was the feminine officer who truly tried to kiss him.
The serviceman of 23 years informed the listening to he turned his head away, including: ‘I do not wish to trigger her offence however I’ve no attraction to her in any way’.
The feminine officer claims WO1 Simons sexually assaulted her by trapping her between desks, wrapping his arms round her, gazing into her eyes and urgent his lips towards hers in a kiss which lasted ‘a few seconds’.
She stated: ‘I felt horrified and pushed him away with my arms to his chest.
‘I stated, “Do not ever kiss me once more”. I simply wished to get out of the workplace as fast as potential.’
The court docket heard WO1 Simons and his superior feminine officer had been posted collectively on a British navy base for a matter of weeks earlier than the incident.
WO1 Peter Simons (pictured) denied cornering his superior feminine colleague, telling Bulford Army Courtroom in Wiltshire that it was her who tried to kiss him
The pair had not lengthy been working collectively and he had requested for ‘hugs’ and informed her she was ‘cute’ after she turned more and more careworn on account of an elevated workload, the court docket was informed.
Giving proof, WO1 Simons, who is tough of listening to on account of his service in Iraq, stated: ‘[When I arrived] I might see [the alleged victim] was actually, actually busy… we had been each overwhelmed.
‘I realised we would have liked to construct a rapport [in the office]. We broke down limitations fairly rapidly and had good chats with one another.
‘Inside a few days the banter begins and the ambiance turns into extra relaxed.
‘Somebody got here into the workplace speaking about Valentine’s playing cards, saying it was crap [being single] throughout Covid.
‘I used to be not eager about whether or not she was single or not, actually. I do not wish to be disrespectful, however I did not fancy her in any respect.’
WO1 Simons insisted the feminine officer had instigated the kiss and that morning had rushed as much as him and leapt into his arms to provide him a ‘welcome’ hug.
He stated: ‘I got here into the workplace at about half 9 or 1 / 4 to 10, after dropping my boys off in school.
‘[The female officer] rushed out and put her arms up as she approached me. I bent down and put my arms round her again – she was lifted off the bottom and put her legs round my thighs.
‘A few hours later she was coming again into the workplace. I stated, “Hug break” and held my arms out.
‘We hugged the identical as earlier than and there was an actual closeness… her head was touching my chin.
‘Then we each pulled again and had been staring into every others’ eyes. At that second we began transferring in direction of one another, and it was like, “We’re going to kiss”.
‘I simply thought, “abort”. I turned my head to keep away from it and there was a conflict of cheeks – no kiss. It was awkward and she or he went completely brilliant crimson.
‘I stated, “Sorry about that” and she or he stated, “Me too.” She went to the outlets and when she got here again you might really feel the ambiance within the workplace… it was tense.
The pair had not lengthy been working collectively and he had requested for ‘hugs’ and informed her she was ‘cute’ after she turned more and more careworn on account of an elevated workload, the court docket was informed (Pictured: Bulford Army Courtroom)
‘Simply earlier than leaving that day, I stated, “I am sorry about that… I am a dickhead” and she or he simply went “apology accepted”.
‘To be sincere, I used to be a bit perturbed that she did not make an apology again. There have been two folks concerned.
‘She tried to kiss me and I ended it. I do not wish to trigger her offence however I’ve no attraction to her in any way.’
WO1 Simons, of third Regiment Royal Army Police, informed the court docket he had ‘loads occurring’ at house on the time, together with his spouse taking over a brand new job and the devastating information of a detailed relative’s breast most cancers analysis.
Prosecutor William Peters beforehand informed the court docket martial: ‘He nuzzled his face into [the victim’s], lunged ahead and kissed her on the lips.
‘She was surprised however managed to push him away and informed him to not kiss her ever once more. She was left shocked.
‘That evening she determined to make a proper criticism.’
WO1 Simons denies a cost of sexual assault.
The trial continues.