A Policeman accused of sexually harassing a colleague was so traumatised that he left another Policewoman sleeping on the job, a tribunal heard yesterday.

The Board of Inquiry, convened by the Human Rights Commission, was told P.c. B was too frightened to wake the woman officer, sleeping on the floor of Government House.

P.c. B, a West Indian, was giving his first evidence to the tribunal at St.

Theresa's Cathedral Hall.

Questioned by his lawyer Richard Hector, the accused officer said: "I was working with this female officer, just the two of us.

"Then I would state that the Governor's life was put in danger by the actions of that female officer.'' He said he found the Policewoman asleep on the floor with a coat over her, as he went to swap duty positions at 9 p.m. in late 1996.

And he added: "I was so traumatised by the allegations by the complainant that I was afraid to wake her up for fear that she might do something.

"She might victimise me or something else. I was terrified to wake her, although it crossed my mind to wake her on several occasions.'' A 26-year-old Policewoman had already filed a criminal complaint against him for sexual assault.

The woman, no longer in the Police, claimed P.c. B forced a kiss on her in his office when she went to pay a bar bill at Somerset Police Station in September 1996.

She said he also rubbed his own private parts through his trousers, telling her how much he wanted her.

P.c. B, who has denied all the allegations, told yesterday's tribunal two criminal cases and an internal Police inquiry had already been closed through lack of evidence.

He told the hearing he was transferred to Hamilton Police Station after the initial complaint And he was cross-examined by his accuser's lawyer, Clare Hatcher, about the incident at Government House following his transfer.

She said: "Would you not normally report such a serious breach of duty?'' P.c. B said: "I would have woken her up and told her she needed to carry on her duties.

"I didn't wish to wake her. I was traumatised...terrified to wake her.'' Mrs. Hatcher added: "But you could have taken other steps.'' "Like what?'' said P.c. B. "If I reported her to the Sergeant, she would know I had reported her.

"She could still traumatise me or victimise me. She could do anything with me -- just like your client.'' P.c. B had earlier told the hearing that his accuser, known as P.c. A, came into his office and put her arms around him on September 11, 1996.

He said she stared at him and left the office when he pulled away.

He also recalled being told by the Policewoman's mother that he was "sick'' and "should seek help''.

"She said that being a man I would lie to protect myself,'' he said.

The officer also claimed P.c. A was "upset'' with him because he would not give her a key to use showers in the men's barracks.

The case continues today.