The Police Ombudsman's Office has found no evidence to substantiate an allegation that a police officer sexually assaulted a woman during a search in County Fermanagh in February.

The incident occurred after the woman was arrested on suspicion of theft, and the Chief Constable referred the matter for an independent investigation.

Body-worn camera footage showed the woman, handcuffed in the rear of a police car, being warned that she would be arrested for assault if she tried again to headbutt the officer.

The video then recorded the officer reaching into her right coat pocket and removing tablets, lighters and a mobile phone, at which point the woman became verbally abusive and kicked out at him.

He told her she had assaulted him, after which she alleged he had put his hand up her top and touched her breasts. The officer immediately responded, "no I didn't". After reviewing the footage and relevant police documentation, the Ombudsman's investigator concluded the officer considered it necessary to carry out an immediate search to ensure she did not possess anything that might endanger herself or others.

"Although it would have been preferable for the search to have been conducted by a female officer, this was not immediately possible, and it was appropriate for a male officer to act in the interests of the woman's welfare," he said.

The woman later advised that the officer had not sexually assaulted her, though she said he may have inadvertently touched her breast while removing property from her jacket pocket. She also stated she did not wish to make a complaint.

A file was sent to the Public Prosecution Service, which determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the officer. A subsequent misconduct review likewise found no basis for disciplinary or other action.