A senior Newcastle lifesaver and former police detective has pleaded guilty to sexually touching a local surgeon at a community event in the NSW Hunter Valley last year. Scott Cook, 57, known as "Cookie", had been honoured for long service to Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club and held roles including treasurer and lifesaving award assessor. The case is notable because Cook reportedly put himself forward to become the club's complaints officer around the time the victim first reported him to police, and his conduct had previously escaped public scrutiny.

During a group photo at the function, the surgeon felt Cook grope her buttock and perineal region, squeezing firmly for two to three seconds before letting go when she turned. She described feeling shocked, disgusted and violated, and said she had not spoken to Cook at all that evening. About a month later, on learning he had nominated himself as the club's complaints officer, she made a formal complaint to the club and reported the assault to NSW Police. Cook has been barred from the club and banned from approaching the doctor's home or workplace since November, and entered his guilty plea to sexually touching another person on Tuesday.