‘Predatory’ PCSO jailed over sexual relationships with women
OFFICER ABUSED HIS POSITION OF TRUST
A “predatory” police community y support officer who abused his s position of trust to become e involved in completely inappro- priate sexual relationships with h three women has been jailed for r two years and 10 months.
Simon Smith brazenly initiated d sexual contact with the vulnerable e women before trying to cover up p his activities when police launched d an investigation into him.
He had a history of inappropri- ate behaviour with a string of f women over the years even though h he was married at the time, Hull l Crown Court heard.
Smith, 49, of Gilberdyke, admitted three offences of misconduct in public office and one of perverting the course of justice. They included:
■ Misconduct in public office between June 30, 2018 and April 28, 2019, involving initiating and pursuing a sexual relationship with a woman while on duty.
■ Misconduct in public office between February 2 and May 9, 2019, involving initiating and pursuing a sexual relationship with a second woman.
■ Misconduct in public office on February 10, 2019 by providing his personal telephone number to a third woman and encouraging her to contact him and suggesting that such conduct would be concealed from the police as well as sending an unsolicited text message to her, intending to initiate a sexual relationship.
■ Perverting the course of justice on September 1, 2019 by going to the second woman’s home and telling her to say to the police that they had just been friends, while knowing that an investigation was ongoing.
Jonathan Sandiford QC, prosecuting, said that Smith behaved in a “predatory” way towards the women while wearing a PCSO uniform and approached a number of women to begin sexual relationships with them.
He started sexual relationships with the women while working in uniform and having access to them as part of his duties.
He used his police office at Howden as a base for his activities and met them there or in other places.
After the hearing, Humberside Police’s head of professional standards, Detective Superintendent Matt Baldwin, said: “As a PCSO, Smith was in a role where the local community trusted him and he completely abused his position for his own advantage and sexual gain.
“I want to thank the victims in this case for their bravery and courage in supporting the investigation, as without their assistance, the result today would not have been possible.
“Smith’s actions were utterly reprehensible and we will absolutely not tolerate, accept or condone this kind of behaviour, that ultimately can undermine the public’s confidence in us as Humberside Police and in policing.
“I hope that Smith uses the time behind bars to consider the consequences of his actions and the impact that his behaviour has had on his victims and the wider community.
“I would encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim to this type of offence by a member of a police force, to please report them and be assured they will always be treated sensitively and taken seriously.
“We hold all of our officers and staff to the highest standards of behaviour, with their integrity vital and professionalism crucial in maintaining the trust and confidence of the communities we serve.
“Smith’s devious and repulsive behaviour gravely failed to uphold and maintain the standards both we, and more importantly, the public expect.
“We will always thoroughly investigate any misconduct within the force and I want to make very clear that there are no exceptions.
“We are continually striving to better ourselves and provide excellent policing to our communities, and anyone who fails in their responsibility to serve and protect the public and meet our high expectations, will unreservedly always be held accountable for their actions.”