Detective spared jail for ‘grooming’ vulnerable women
A POLICE detective who exploited ‘vulnerable’ women was spared jail after a judge heard no one else could care for his young child during the coronavirus lockdown.
Stuart Lunt, 36, abused his position by trying to start sexual relationships with four women he had met in the course of his duties.
‘Flirtatious’ and ‘sexually explicit’ messages were sent to the victims, while the married father-of-two also engaged in sexual activity with one.
David Toal, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court Lunt contacted the women over a two-year period.
Lunt met the first, a single mum, after she had received threats to her and her son’s life in February 2017.
He was one of the officers tasked with serving a personal safety warning, but continued sending messages after the matter had been resolved. The court heard he told the woman she was ‘a pretty girl,’ but she did not share his interest so ended all communication.
Lunt then sent messages to another woman he had taken a statement from about an assault she witnessed. She received a Twitter follow request and the pair started talking. He asked her to meet up and revealed he was unhappy in his marriage. The pair continued exchanging messages, and in one he said he ‘wondered what it would be like to be in bed with her.’ Lunt also visited the woman’s home while on duty, staying for several hours.
Between May and August 2018, Lunt also exchanged sexually explicit messages with a fellow police officer who had made a complaint as a member of the public. As they discussed her making a formal statement, the messages between the pair turned flirtatious and sexually explicit, with Lunt making sexual innuendos.
In one, he questioned whether the woman ‘had the bottle’ to meet up for sex. They agreed to meet, but it never happened. The court heard the woman had felt ‘humiliated.’ Lunt took things even further with another woman after cautioning her for a fraud offence. He continued to contact her, sending messages declaring his feelings and asking to have sex.
On one occasion, the pair engaged in sexual acts and explicit images were also shared. He sent a message saying he loved her and was ‘risking everything for her.’ He later told her he was suffering a breakdown. When interviewed by officers investigating Lunt’s conduct, the woman described him as ‘fragile’ and ‘insecure.’
Lunt, a detective constable for Lancashire Constabulary, had previously worked as an officer for Greater Manchester Police between 2003 and 2015. Lunt was suspended from duty and resigned last week after pleading guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office at a hearing in February.
Laura Nash, defending, described Lunt as a ‘popular member of the community’ who had struggled with anxiety and depression since 2017.
Ms Nash explained that Lunt’s wife was a designated key worker as deputy manager of a nursery.
The pair still lived together in Wigan, and Lunt had been responsible for looking after their one-yearold child while his wife worked.
Judge David Aubrey sentenced Lunt to 18 months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
He said his conduct was ‘akin to grooming.’ He added: “You abused your position as a police officer. You gained the trust of vulnerable women and utilised that for your own sexual advantages and desires.
“You crossed the boundaries of your duties and did so knowingly.”
You abused your position as a police officer
Judge David Aubrey