Detective coerced colleagues into sex

A SENIOR detective who worked in professional standards thought he could get away with coercing female colleagues into having sex because his role protected him from scrutiny, a disciplinary hearing has ruled.

Ex-detective inspector Simon Hurwood was found guilty of eight counts of gross misconduct and more of misconduct after a panel heard he abused his position over junior colleagues.

Over 14 years with Cleveland Police, he groomed women, bombarding them with texts, knocking their confidence to build it up, then turning the conversation to sex and demanding naked pictures and videos.

A total of 21 women came forward to make allegations about his conduct.

He coerced one junior colleague to perform a sex act on him in police cars and in a police office.

Another witness said he persuaded her to have sex with him at a police station and afterwards “looked all pleased with himself ”.

He was obsessed with the colour of his colleagues’ underwear, the hearing which began on Monday, was told.

Mr Hurwood, who joined the force in 1991, was not present at the hearing and not represented.

He resigned from Cleveland Police in September.

As a result of the disciplinary hearing he will be barred from rejoining any force.

Panel chairman Simon Mallett, reading out the judgment in a suite at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, said: “He knew as a senior officer he could exploit younger females for sexual purposes.”

He used his job as a “recruitment centre for his own sexual gratification” and his behaviour harmed his victims to the point where one needed anti-depressants.

Mr Hurwood laughed off some of the criticism when he was challenged about it, Mr Mallett said.

Mr Mallett said: “His conduct was out of control and unchecked.”

John Beggs QC, for the chief constable, said: “Hurwood well understood that his conduct was inappropriate.”