Police officer who bombarded 14-year-old rape victim with inappropriate drunken messages is jailed
A former police officer who bombarded a 14-year-old rape victim with inappropriate drunken messages has been jailed for 18 months.
Former Detective John Hamilton, 55, sent voice messages to the vulnerable girl late at night, offering to take her to a location near where her abuser had taken her.
He was jailed at Teesside Crown Court on Friday after being found guilty of misconduct in a public office.
Middlesbrough Recorder Judge Francis Laird KC said Hamilton had violated the trust placed in him by an “extremely vulnerable” teenager who “approached the police for help”.
Hamilton had a 25-year policing career, starting with the Metropolitan Police before transferring to the Northumbria force in 2019.
The court heard he was at a “particularly low level” when he was assigned to the 14-year-old girl’s case in September 2021 and began drinking heavily after breaking up with his partner.
She was working in the child and adult protection department and was asked to investigate a historical rape allegation.
The court heard Hamilton “developed an unhealthy and completely inappropriate interest” in the victim and began sending her “increasingly frequent and inappropriate messages”.
The judge said the messages were “extremely friendly” but not overtly sexual.
After a weekend away from the girl’s home, he made an unannounced visit to her school, and the class principal said Hamilton made her feel “unwelcome in the room” even though the girl had indicated she wanted him to stay.
That afternoon, he texted the girl, telling her it was good to talk to her and asking if she wanted to drive somewhere near where her harasser had taken her.
Hamilton sent the girl “increasingly inappropriate” messages throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning, despite making it clear he wanted to go to bed.
The court heard he also sent two voice notes saying he was extremely drunk.
The next day, Hamilton tried to “repair the damage” by sending her a series of cheerful messages, but she told him what happened at school.
The girl’s class president said the girl “was visibly upset and stated that she did not want to go on this trip.”
In mitigation, the court heard Hamilton’s messages were “disturbing” but not “sexual, threatening or obscene”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched a criminal investigation into Hamilton in November 2021, following guidance from Northumbria Police.
Later that month he was suspended by the police and arrested by the IOPC.
The IOPC said it completed its investigation in February 2023 and referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Hamilton was charged in August 2024 and tried in February of this year.
He will face a gross misconduct hearing following his conviction.
IOPC director Emily Barry said: “DC Hamilton was an experienced police officer with over 24 years of service, so he was well aware of the standards of professional conduct expected of him, whether on or off duty.
“The seriousness of his actions was exacerbated by the fact that he was working in a security team and was aiming to protect a 14-year-old girl who was in an extremely vulnerable position as a victim of crime.
“Police officers are fully aware from the outset of their responsibilities in how they treat members of the public they encounter in the course of their professional duties. Hamilton completely abused his position of trust and was rightly held accountable for his actions.”
Detective Superintendent Donna Rose, of Northumbria Police’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Firstly, we would like to recognize the bravery of the victim in coming forward in this case.
“When concerns were raised about this person he was suspended from duty.
“The case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which conducted an investigation at the time of his retirement.
“His actions were completely unacceptable and in no way representative of the overwhelming majority of officers, staff and volunteers at Northumbria Police who work to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
“As a force, we have made it very clear that we will take appropriate action when someone falls below the standards expected and to which they have committed to comply.
“We can confirm that misconduct investigations are continuing following the conviction.”
