Civil hearing over sex assault claim

CASEY mayor Kevin Bradford faces civil action in the County Court today (Thursday) over claims he sexually assaulted a prisoner during his time as a police officer.
Cr Bradford will defend the action brought about by a woman who alleges she was indecently assaulted while in custody at the Dandenong police station in January 2000.
The woman is suing the mayor for unspecified damages.
She claims she suffered personal injury, mental injury, embarrassment and humiliation as a result of the incident. Cr Bradford said the matter was a civil proceeding and not a criminal case.
He said he would not be attending the hearing, which had no bearing on his role as a councillor.
“It is purely another discussion between the parties involved. “It will not affect my role as mayor.
“The allegations occurred three years before I was elected onto council,” he said.
Cr Bradford said he was paying for his own legal representation.