Former Mr Gay UK facing sack from police over assault conviction
By Sam Rigby
A former Mr Gay UK is expected to lose his job with the police after being convicted of assault.
Mark Carter appeared in front of a judge at Manchester Magistrates Court last week, and was found guilty of assaulting and headbutting a man in The Thompsons Arms in Manchester’s gay village.
The victim – who was known to Carter on Facebook – will receive £100 compensation following the assault. Carter has also been issued a 12 month community order and told to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
Carter was named Mr Gay UK in 2006, but has made the headlines for less favourable reasons in the past few years. In 2009, he was cleared of sexual assault and rape, following an incident at a hotel in Leeds.
Superintendent Clive Wain of West Yorkshire Police said of Carter’s future: “West Yorkshire Police expects the very highest standards of its officers and staff, both on and off duty. Criminal behaviour or conduct which falls below this standard will not be tolerated.
“We note the verdict of the court in relation to this officer. PC Carter remains suspended from duty ahead of an internal misconduct hearing.”
Carter has informed the Daily Mail that plans to appeal his suspension, despite his conviction.
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