14-year-old rape victim pestered by creep police officer who turned up at her school | UK | News
John Hamilton worked with the child and adult protection safety department (Image: Getty)
an old one police officer harassed a 14-year-old rape survivor with inappropriate, drunken messages. Former Detective Constable John Hamilton, 55, sent voice messages to the vulnerable girl late at night, offering to take her to a location close to where her abuser had taken her.
Hamilton sentenced to 18 months in prison Teesside Crown Court on Friday, April 10, after being found guilty of misconduct in a public office. Middlesbrough’s registrar, Judge Francis Laird KC, said Hamilton had been subjected to a breach of trust by an “extremely vulnerable” teenager. police for help.
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Hamilton spent 25 years in policing, starting with the Metropolitan Police before transferring to Northumbria Police in 2019.
The court heard he was at a “particularly low level” when he was assigned to the 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 when she was asked to investigate a historic 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. The girl’s class president said Hamilton made her feel “unwelcome to stay in the room” with them, even though she had stated that 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 “fix the damage” by sending her a series of cheerful messages, but she told him what happened at school. The head of year said the girl was “visibly upset and said she did not want to go on the 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.
He was suspended by the force and arrested by the IOPC later that month. 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 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.”
He added that police officers are fully aware of their responsibilities from the outset in terms of how to treat members of the public they encounter in the course of their professional duties.
Ms Barry said: “Hamilton completely abused his position of trust and was rightly held accountable for his actions.”
Det Supt Donna Rose, of Northumbria Police’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Firstly we would like to recognize the bravery of the victim in this case. He was suspended from duty when concerns were raised about this individual.”
He added: “His actions were completely unacceptable and in no way representative of the overwhelming majority of officers, staff and volunteers who come to work at Northumbria Police to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
“As a force, we have made it very clear that whenever someone falls below the standards expected and to which they have committed to comply, we will take appropriate action. We can confirm that, following his conviction, misconduct investigations are also ongoing.”
