Independent Police Complaints Commission
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West Midlands PC jailed over sexual assaults

A former West Midlands Police officer who admitted sexually assaulting women while on duty was yesterday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

At the conclusion of an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the Crown Prosecution Service took forward a prosecution against the officer. 

Steven Walters, who appeared before Stafford Crown Court for sentencing, was a police constable based at Sutton Coldfield when he committed the offences against two women between February and April last year (2015).

Walters, aged 48, had previously denied two counts of sexual assault but changed his pleas to guilty when he appeared in court on 5 September this year. He had also denied misconduct in a public office against a third woman and that charge was left to lie on file.

At a misconduct hearing held before the Chief Constable at West Midlands Police headquarters in Birmingham on Monday (3 October) the force considered his admissions of guilt and agreed with the IPCC that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct. Walters was dismissed from the force with immediate effect.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said yesterday: “We carried out a thorough investigation after this matter was referred to us, and that found that Walters had completely abused his position of trust by targeting and taking advantage of vulnerable women for his own sexual gratification.

“Walters has now paid a heavy price for his actions, and I hope this case demonstrates that those who engage in such inappropriate and criminal behaviour will be held to account.

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

Notes to editors                                              

For further enquiries call the IPCC press office on 02920-266317.

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

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