PC believed sex worker relationship was 'genuine'

A former police constable has been banned from ever working for the force after repeatedly using a sex worker with whom he believed he had a "genuine relationship".

The officer, whose identity was not revealed by Northamptonshire Police after being granted anonymity, contacted the woman about her sexual services through a website called Sugar Daddy.

After exchanging sexually explicit messages, the pair met up for sex - which he paid for in cash - on multiple occasions between December 2023 and February 2024.

Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said the officer would have been sacked if he had not already resigned from the force and would now be put on the police's Barred List.

"While the activity of purchasing sex is not, in itself unlawful, the practice of doing so is fraught with risk," he said in his report.

"Further, it exposes the police more generally to a high risk of public confidence in the service being undermined."

The officer first met the women for sex on 22 December 2023, before texting her on Boxing Day to tell her that he had enjoyed their time together.

Then, on 27 December, she offered him a further hour of sexual services, but the officer instead asked how much a shorter session would cost.

On New Year's Day 2024, the woman told him it would be £70, before, later in the week, the officer told he would have sex with her "every day" if he had the money.

Over the next few weeks, the pair continued to meet up for paid sex.

The officer accepted that using sex worker services was "incompatible with the role of a police officer" and his actions amounted to gross misconduct, and apologised.

But, according to the report, he believed he was engaging in a "genuine personal relationship" with the woman and was providing her with "financial assistance".

He also claimed his mental health issues were a factor in him seeking the services of a sex worker, but Balhatchet said there was not a sufficient link between the two.

"The conduct is too serious and the risk of reputational harm too high for this to be appropriate," he added.

"This was a clear and repeated breach, contrary to police guidance, which fundamentally threatens the trust and confidence the public places with the police.

"I find therefore that the appropriate outcome in this case would have been dismissal had the officer still be serving."

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