Violent and controlling former police officer jailed for abusing women

A former Police Scotland officer from Lanarkshire is being jailed for subjecting three former partners to a campaign of controlling, violent and sexual abuse.

Christopher Ferguson (31) from Wishaw , targeted his victims over a 14-year period, including while he was posted to Glasgow’s Helen Street police station.

He was found guilty of nine charges - including two counts of voyeurism – in a trial in June, and was back at Hamilton Sheriff Court today to be sentenced to serve three years and nine months in prison.

Controlling behaviour

Ferguson subjected one woman to repeated assaults as well as telling her what she could wear, reading her text messages and taking away her mobile phone.

He stalked her through repeated calls and texts, delivering unwanted gifts, monitoring her social media and waiting outside a relative’s property for her.

He disclosed intimate photographs of a second woman, as well as choking her during a serious of violent assaults.

Ferguson caused a third woman to fall down stairs and hurt herself, as well as monitoring her movements, turning up at her home and contacting her about an ongoing police investigation against him.

As well as the jail time, Ferguson’s name is being added to the sex offenders register for 10 years, and he is being banned from attempting to contact his victims.

Courage of victims to speak out

Les Brown, Procurator Fiscal for South Strathclyde, said:

“Christopher Ferguson is a habitual domestic abuser who inflicted unimaginable trauma on his victims.

“It took courage for them to speak out against a figure of some authority and I would commend their determination to seek justice. 

“The Crown is committed to the effective and fair prosecution of domestic and sexual crime, no matter who the offender is.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of similar offences to come forward.

“You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to us to seek justice.”

'No place for officers like Ferguson'

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “My thoughts remain with those who survived the appalling abuse by Christopher Ferguson and I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing him to justice.

“We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer, but I want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.

“It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart. The onus is on policing to build and maintain public confidence and consent which is critical in our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.

“Criminality or misconduct by officers or staff damages public confidence and there is no place in policing for those who do not uphold our values.”

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