WIREDGOV

A serving West Midlands Police officer has been convicted at Stafford Crown Court of sexually assaulting two women. It follows aninvestigation by the IPCC.

Steven Walters, a 48-year-old police constable based at Sutton Coldfield, had previously denied two counts of sexual assault but changed his pleas to guilty when he appeared before the Crown Court yesterday. He had also denied misconduct in a public office and the prosecution offered no evidence on that charge.

The officer, who is currently suspended from duty, was bailed for sentencing on Thursday, 29 September.

PC Walters’ offences were committed against two women, while he was on duty, between February and April last year (2015).

The IPCC began an investigation after a referral from the force which had received a complaint from one of the officer’s victims.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said yesterday: “Walters completely abused his position of trust and targeted vulnerable victims of crime for sexual purposes.

“I would like to praise the courage and bravery of the women who came forward to give evidence against him and hope that they can now move on with their lives in the knowledge that justice has been done.

“Such unprofessional and disgraceful conduct cannot go unchallenged and I hope that today’s outcome reinforces the message that officers who behave in such a way will be exposed and brought before the courts where appropriate.”