Mortuary man cleared of groping

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An undertaker's assistant has been found not guilty at Cardiff Crown Court of sexual assault at the mortuary of the University Hospital of Wales.

A jury took just 45 minutes to clear John Phillips, of Grangetown, Cardiff, after hearing of horseplay and hide-and-seek games at the department.

After the case, Mr Phillips spoke of his shock at being charged.

He said: "I'm relieved it's all over. It's been a weight hanging over me for eight months."

He added: "I've lost my job but my wife and family have stood by me."

Mr Phillips had told the court that "sexual innuendo and groping" were commonplace at the mortuary of the 1,000-bed hospital.

He said staff would hide around corners and jump out shouting 'boo!' and smack people on the bottom at the busy department.

Other high jinks he described included flashing, water fights and funeral workers being tied up with sheets over their heads "for a laugh".

Speaking after his acquittal, he said: "Horseplay has been going on for years - it was a way of making light of a heavy job.

The University Hospital of Wales is largest hospital in Wales

"So I was shocked when I was charged with sexual assault and sacked from my job.

"I know what we did was inappropriate but it was all innocent fun."

Mr Phillips claimed it happened as funeral staff went to the hospital to collect bodies for burial and cremation.

The court heard one woman admitted lifting her top and flashing her breasts through a window. She has since been disciplined.

In Mr Phillips' case, it was alleged he had "overstepped the mark" in February this year by allegedly touching a woman's breasts.

'Good natured'

The defendant, who has been married for 26 years, told the court he could neither confirm or deny touching the alleged victim on the day she complained because horseplay occurred so regularly.

Mr Phillips, who had worked for Cardiff-based funeral directors James Summer for 13 years, was sacked when the allegations came to light.

He told the court the "commonplace behaviour" was always good natured but never happened when staff were working with the deceased.

While giving evidence, he told the court: "We never mess about when actually working with the deceased out of respect for them.

"Yes, ours is a solemn duty - but we always laughed and joked."