DERRY — A former court bailiff was arrested yesterday on charges of sexually assaulting two women last month in Derry District Court.
Paul Benoit, 55, of Pelham is accused of assaulting the two women while they were at the courthouse for a hearing, according to Derry police Capt. Vernon Thomas.
Benoit turned himself in yesterday, police said.
Police said Benoit led the women into a conference room and touched them inappropriately. He allegedly kissed one of the women during the assault, police said.
Neither women is alleging they were physically injured during the assault, according to police.
Police received a complaint from one victim on Oct. 19. She alleged she was assaulted while at the courthouse on Oct. 16 as a witness in a hearing, Thomas said.
Another woman filed a report on Oct. 23, saying she was assaulted by Benoit on Oct. 8, according to Thomas.
Police said Benoit resigned from his position at Derry District Court before they received the complaints.
Benoit did not return a phone call seeking comment for this story.
Police said they continue to investigate.
Benoit has been charged with five counts of sexual assault and six counts of simple assault. All the charges are misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.
He was arrested yesterday at 8:30 a.m. and released on $5,000 personal recognizance. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Derry District Court on Dec. 1.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Derry Police Department at 432-6111.
