Ex-detective who texted rape victim, 14, jailed

A former police officer who "abused his position of trust" by inundating a 14-year-old rape victim with inappropriate messages has been jailed for 18 months.

John Hamilton, who worked as a detective constable in Northumbria Police's child abuse and sexual offences unit, was assigned to a case involving the girl.

But a court heard the 55-year-old made an unannounced visit to her school and asked if she would like to go for a drive to near where her abuser had taken her.

Judge Laird KC told Teesside Crown Court Hamilton's messages were "not overtly sexual" but he had developed an "entirely inappropriate relationship with the girl".

"You breached the trust that was placed in you, and you breached the trust of a highly vulnerable victim, who turned to the police for help," he said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Hamilton was meant to be protecting the vulnerable teenager but he "completely abused his position of trust".

He was found guilty of misconduct in a public office.

Hamilton's 25-year policing career started with the Metropolitan Police before he transferred to the north-east of England in 2019.

The court heard he was assigned the girl's case in September 2021 when he was at a "particularly low ebb" after separating from his partner and had turned to alcohol.

During the visit to the victim's school, the court heard how Hamilton made the head of year feel "unwelcome to remain in the room" with them, despite the girl indicating she wished the teacher to stay.

Her teacher said the girl was "visibly upset" and told her she did not want to go on the drive.

Later that day, he messaged the girl to say it had been good to talk to her and asked if she wanted to go on a drive.

He then sent her "increasingly inappropriate" messages throughout the night, despite the girl making it clear she wanted to go to sleep.

He also sent two voice notes revealing he was heavily intoxicated, the court heard.

In mitigation, the court heard Hamilton's messages were "pestering" but not "sexual, threatening or obscene".

'Completely unacceptable'

The IOPC started a criminal investigation into Hamilton in November 2021, and he was suspended by the force and arrested later that month.

He was charged in August 2024 and went on trial in February.

IOPC director Emily Barry said Hamilton was an "experienced police officer" and knew the standards expected of him.

"The seriousness of his actions were exacerbated by the fact he worked in a safeguarding team and was meant to be protecting a 14-year-old girl who was in an extremely vulnerable position as a victim of crime," she said.

Northumbria Police's Det Supt Donna Rose said Hamilton was suspended when concerns about his conduct were raised and he retired from the force during the IPOC's investigation.

"His actions were completely unacceptable and are in no way representative of the overwhelming majority of officers, staff and volunteers at Northumbria Police who come to work to make a positive difference to people's lives," she said.

Hamilton will face a gross misconduct hearing after his conviction.