Hertfordshire Police officer sentenced to over 19 years behind bars
31-year-old James Ford was convicted for 10 counts of sexual abuse against an under 13
A Hertfordshire police officer has been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13 and then wiping his phone on purpose to pervert the course of justice.
31-year-old James Ford, formerly of Bishop's Stortford, was found guilty of 10 counts of sexual abuse against the same child, who cannot be identified, between 2019 and 2021 and one count of deliberately wiping his phone.
Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court took less than a day to deliver a guilty verdict on Wednesday 19th October.
The counts against Ford include: four counts of rape, four of sexual assault, and two of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, as well as wiping his phone.
During the trial, which last just over a week, the defendant denied all charges against him.
According to Hertfordshire Police, when the allegations emerged, the case was independently investigated by specialist officers within the Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU) at Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
The matter was also referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the force’s Professional Standards Department.
Ford was also suspended in November last year. He joined the force in December 2019.
Detective Inspector Susie Hine, who heads the Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU) at Cambridgeshire Police, paid tribute to the "courage and bravery" of the child.
"Through the victim's powerful testimony, the jury were left in no doubt and now a predatory sex offender is behind bars," she said.
"Cases of this nature are both disturbing and upsetting and I want to reassure the public, there is no place for an offender to hide no matter who they are.
"In this case it was a serving police officer who now faces the custodial consequences of his appalling actions."
Detective Constable Mark Williamson, the officer in the case, said: "Ford has shown no remorse for his actions and it's a credit to the victim that the jury saw beyond his lies.
"I would encourage victims of child abuse to reach out to police or support agencies to get the help and support they need, no matter when the offence occurred.
"Ford faces a significant prison sentence for his crimes which I hope gives a sense of justice to the victim and their family."
Hertfordshire Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said: "James Ford took advantage of a vulnerable victim in the most appalling way and his behaviour will have devastated those involved.
"Thankfully, due to the bravery of the victim and the due diligence of the officers investigating, he will now serve time in prison which is where he belongs.
"I am disgusted by his actions and he will face a fast track hearing for dismissal."