Ex-cop’s sex case shame
FORMER PC IN COURT OVER RELATIONSHIP WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM WHILE INVESTIGATING HER CASE
A FORMER police officer has been handed a suspended jail sentence after he started a sexual relationship with a domestic violence victim while investigating her case.
Ben Robinson, 39, who worked as a police constable in Kirklees, admitted a charge of misconduct in a public office on the first day of his trial at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £1,200 in costs and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Robinson resigned from West Yorkshire Police following his arrest on October 17, 2017.
While serving as an officer, Robinson investigated a domestic violence incident and, during the course of the investigation, engaged in consensual sexual acts with the victim. He admitted that by embarking on
sexual relationship with the
a woman he jeopardised the integrity of his role in the investigation and risked undermining the case.
The relationship came to light after another officer became aware of it and reported their concerns.
Det Supt Richard Crinnion, of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “We expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from our officers and staff in line with the Code of Ethics.
“Robinson has admitted misconduct in a public office which means he wilfully neglected to perform his duty to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.”
The National Police Chief ’s Council set out a national strategy in October 2017 for addressing the issue of police officers and staff who abuse their position for a sexual purpose.
Since then, West Yorkshire Police has run an awareness campaign for police employees and key partner agencies, and has more recently extended this campaign to the wider public.
Det Supt Crinnion added: “We need everyone; our officers and staff, victims, witnesses and suspects, to understand that police employees should not be abusing their position of trust and authority to form sexual relationships.
“It is thanks to one of our officers who learnt of this inappropriate relationship that this offending came to light.
“Robinson resigned from the force while under investigation and is currently on the College of Policing’s Police Advisory List. A misconduct hearing will be held in due course.”