Police officer who carried out unnecessary strip searches faces jail for series of sexual offences

A former Police inspector is facing a prison sentence after being found guilty of a string of sexual offenses against young men in custody. Gerard Hutchings, 66, sexually assaulted eight complainants and forced them to remove their clothes during unnecessary strip searches at police stations in Hampshire over eight years.

Bristol Crown Court heard details of the abuse. Hutchings had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including five counts of indecent assault, five counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of misconduct in public office. Although he denied it, the jury convicted him of all crimes. He admitted 17 counts of misconduct in a public office at an earlier hearing.

The charges concerned a total of 18 victims who were left alone in Hutchings’ private office at the police station.

The court heard the complainants, aged in their late teens to early 30s and who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were arrested for minor offenses such as shoplifting and possession of cannabis.

They reported being subjected to an unfair and illegal strip search by Hutchings while receiving a warning or reprimand for a minor offence.

During these procedures, he also sexually assaulted some of them.

During the trial, eight victims testified about how they felt during these unwarranted strip-search procedures.

One victim arrested for theft described how he was “humiliated” by Hutchings.

“There was nothing ordinary that day. He was trying to humiliate me. I am very aware of what was being done to me and he was trying to humiliate me too,” he told the jury.

“I believe you take great pleasure in saying how much of a scumbag I am and that people like me should not walk in this world, or saying things to that effect.

“I’ve been strip-searched before and the rules were never followed. He showed no interest in my clothes.”

Hutchings was previously jailed for similar offenses in 2008 after pleading guilty to 11 counts of misconduct in a public office.

Hampshire Police suspended him in 2007 after complaints were made following a rapid disciplinary procedure.

Police launched a new investigation in 2020 after receiving a report from a man who was subjected to a similar strip search in 2005.

As part of the investigation, officers compared Hutchings’ police notebook with police records to identify 373 people who had contacted him at a police station.

All of these people were visited in person by officers who used a non-directive questionnaire to determine whether they had been subject to any crime.

From there, 17 more people made video statements detailing their experiences with Hutchings.

Interim Deputy Chief Constable Rob France said: “When someone comes into contact with our officers and staff they must be treated with respect and professionalism.

“Hutchings’ behavior was despicable and degrading and clearly fell nowhere near what we expect from our officers.

“When his crimes first came to light in 2007, he was rightfully fired from the force.

“When we received another report of his offending at around the same time in 2020, we launched a full investigation to determine the scope of Hutchings’ offending.

“Thanks to the courage of the victims in recalling their experiences and the hard work of investigators, Hutchings now faces another prison sentence for his horrific actions.”

Hutchings, of Ashurst, Southampton, will be sentenced on July 24.