Police officer had sex with vulnerable domestic violence victim

Ian Hailes started visiting the woman, who had significant problems including a spinal injury from being thrown downstairs by a former partner, as part of his official role as a neighbourhood officer in Washington.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard the officer, who was employed by Northumbria Police, started to visit "for coffee breaks" and led to them having sex on "numerous occasions" between January 2011 and July 2014.

During the same period, between November 2013 and June 2014, Hailes used his position to access confidential computer records on another woman he had been ordered to have no more to do with after she reported he made her "uncomfortable" but had declined to make an official complaint.

Judge Sarah Mallett said Hailes was shown on CCTV visiting the vulnerable woman with whom he had the relationship "on six occasions when you should have been on duty and were not responding to a particular incident".

The judge said the woman was "effectively housebound" but there was no question about her capacity to consent to a sexual relationship, and Hailes' wrongdoing was in forming the relationship while he was a police officer.

Judge Mallett said "the public trust and respect for the police is damaged by this type of offence" and that a prison sentence was justified for it.

But the judge said Hailes' jail term could be suspended "because of the situation in prison as a result of the pandemic, which would make a prison sentence worse, not just because of the sense of general experience but in the particular experience of a police officer in prison."

Hailes, 62, of Gladstone Street, Hebburn, South Tyneside, has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabiliation requirements, 150 hours unpaid work and a £250 fine for the computer offence.

Prosecutor Rupert Doswell told the court the woman, who has since died, reported Hailes to the authorities in 2018, by which time he had retired from the force with an unblemished record.

Mr Doswell said the woman had multiple physical and mental problems, including brain injury and a personality disorder, and had carers to assist with her complex needs.

In a video interview in November 2018, she said the first time she had sex with Hailes was after he had assisted her with issues in relation to an ex-partner.

Mr Doswell said; "She said he had attended her address one evening, when she was alone.

"He wore his police uniform. He switched the police radio off, took off his police jacket.

"They had vaginal intercourse.

"On another occasion, he let himself in, again when she was alone.

"There were many further occasions when the defendant attended and they engaged in sexual activity."

The court heard police trawled CCTV from the woman’s home as part of the investigation.

Mr Doswell said; "The footage recovered only covered a period between April 2012 and May 2012. Even in that short period he was shown to attend on six occasions, while on duty."

Mr Doswell said proscutors could not put a figure on the number of occasions Hailes had sex with the woman during visits.

He added: "Prior to and during the relationship he was aware of the woman’s vulnerability. He details her difficulties in police records."

Mr Doswell said it was "an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman he was involved with in a professional capacity".

Hailes admitted misconduct in public office and obtaining personal data.

Gavin Doig, defending, said witnesses state the woman spoke fondly of Hailes during their relationship.

Mr Doig handed in positive references from men and women, including friends, former colleagues and members of the public who Hailes had encountered.

Mr Doig said Hailes has sought to rehabilitate himself since the offences and attended counselling.

He added: "He is thoroughly contrite and ashamed of his behaivour. He has lost his good name and reputation amongst family, friends and his social circle."

Hailes said the personal visits with the woman were on his way to and from work but not while on duty. He said the visits did not always involve sexual activity.

Head of Professional Standards at Northumbria Police Superintendent Steve Ammari said: “When concerns were raised about the conduct of former officer Ian Hailes, we carried out a thorough investigation.

“As a result, working with the Crown Prosecution Service, charges were brought against him.

“Hailes abused his privileged position for his own selfish gains.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that his behaviour was completely unacceptable and we are determined to ensure his actions do not damage the trust we have with the communities we serve.

“We expect the highest standards from all of our officers and staff, both on and off-duty, and if they fall below these we are committed to taking appropriate action.

“I want to reassure the public that the actions of this individual are in no way representative of the officers who every single day proudly pull on their Northumbria Police uniform and display the highest levels of professionalism.”

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