A married criminal barrister who slapped a junior female colleague's bottom at their work Christmas party told a disciplinary tribunal he was just 'blowing off steam'. The experienced criminal barrister, who has been a CPS Crown Court prosecutor, claimed he was just being playful at the party, where colleagues were 'blowing off steam'. The panel noted Woolard and Ms A barely knew each other at the time of the party on December 21, 2018. 'Suddenly and without any prior warning, Mr Woolard grasped Ms A around the neck from behind and pulled her backwards. Woolard claimed to the tribunal he believed the woman was consenting to being touched because of the 'light-hearted playful atmosphere at the party where people were 'blowing off steam'.'

Source: Daily Mail January 28, 2021 17:15 UTC