Ex-detective spared prison after admitting misconduct with vulnerable women
AFORMER detective constable who exploited four women to feed his sexual desires has walked free from court after a judge heard no-one else could care for his one-year-old child during the covid-19 lockdown.
Stuart Lunt, 36, from Appley Bridge, Wigan, admitted inappropriate contact with the vulnerable women who he met in the course of his duties with Lancashire Police as either complainants or witnesses.
The married father-of-two gained their trust and used it to his advantage as he attempted to engage in sexual relations with them and did so with one of his victims, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
Laura Nash, defending, asked Judge David Aubrey QC to consider “exceptional circumstances” in suspending a custodial sentence in what she said were “exceptional times”.
Miss Nash explained that Lunt’s wife was a designated key worker who was employed as a deputy manager at a pre-school nursery.
The couple were still living together with their children, aged six and one, but Lunt had been staying at home with the younger child, she said.
Immediate members of the Lunt family were also unable to offer assistance during the movement restrictions because they were in the vulnerable category range, the court was told.
Miss Nash also pointed out as a first-time offender and police officer that the Prison Service faced an “incredibly difficulty” in managing him in a custodial setting through the coronavirus pandemic.
Sentencing Lunt, of Greaves Close, to 18 months in jail, suspended for two years, Judge Aubrey said: “In the particular circumstances of this case, and at a time of deep concern, in the judgment of the court the balance weighs just in favour of suspending the custodial sentence.”
Lunt must also perform 250 hours of unpaid work.
He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to misconduct in a public office.
The defendant, who was based at Chorley and joined Lancashire Police in June 2015 after 12 years of service at Greater Manchester Police, resigned from the force last week.
David Toal, prosecuting, said Lunt approached the women separately on various dates between 2017 and 2019.
He first met one of the women as part of an investigation when he issued her with a personal safety warning that her life could be under threat, said the prosecutor.
Soon after he engaged in “flirty banter” in phone messages and told the single mother she was “a pretty girl”. He later asked her out for a coffee before she blocked all contact, the court was told.
Lunt became flirtatious with a second woman, a domestic violence sufferer, and tried to chat her up during a visit to her home where he stayed for up to three hours while on duty.
She too declined his advances but then the defendant moved on to his next victim, a witness in a criminal investigation, who accepted she was “flattered” by his attention.
Lunt told a fourth woman, another complainant, that his marriage was in difficulties and there was “no fire” between him and his wife. The defendant made an excuse to his wife that he was popping out to get some petrol and drove to a secluded spot where he met the complainant who performed oral sex on him.
Miss Nash said Lunt had a history of mental health difficulties and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2017.
He was genuinely remorseful for his actions, she added, and that numerous character references spoke of his good work in the community.
Judge Aubrey told Lunt: “You crossed the boundaries of your duties as a police officer and did so knowingly.
“I am satisfied your conduct was akin to grooming.”