Detective sacked over 'rape fantasy' relationship with schoolgirl
DC Nicholas Henry met the schoolgirl on a social networking site when she was just 15 and he was 24 and began a relationship
A police officer who indulged in a "rape fantasy" during a relationship with a 16-year-old girl has been sacked for gross misconduct.
Detective Constable Nicholas Henry met the schoolgirl on a social networking site when she was just 15 and he was 24 and began a relationship.
A misconduct hearing at Gloucestershire Police headquarters heard she appeared topless on a webcam for him, and they also exchanged sexually explicit images before meeting up for the first time after she turned 16 and having sex.
On one occasion, Det Con Henry acted out a "rape fantasy" by having anal sex with the teenager - only stopping when he realised she was not consenting.
The relationship between them continued until the girl turned 18 and went to university, the hearing was told.
Det Con Henry denied the allegations and maintained he had only had a three-month relationship with her when she was 16.
An investigation was launched into the officer after the complainant - known only as Witness A - disclosed details of the relationship to an off-duty police sergeant at a weekend hen party in 2023 during a discussion about the murder of Sarah Everard and police misogyny.
That officer then reported it to Gloucestershire Police's professional standards department.
At the time of the investigation being launched, Det Con Henry was working for the force's rape and serious sexual offences unit.
He was not attending the hearing and was not represented although he submitted a statement setting out his case and denying gross misconduct.
The panel, which was chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson, found all the allegations against Det Con Henry proven and concluded he was guilty of gross misconduct.
"The offences committed were intentional and deliberate and as a police officer he held a position of trust and responsibility," Mr Mathieson said.
"There was sexual impropriety and an element of an abuse of a position of trust and the initiation of a sexual relationship with a vulnerable person as she was under 18 and a child.
"The conduct involved violence against women and girls - a matter of national scrutiny.
"We found culpability was high. We found malign intent and sexual misconduct, as well as attempting to blame others."
In mitigation, Mr Mathieson said the conduct occurred 15 years ago and was not deemed criminal.
"There are no reports of any further misconduct before or since," he said.
"The panel concluded that the only possible outcome would be dismissal without notice.
"Accordingly, he will be dismissed without notice and his name should be added to the barred list."