Former Shropshire police officer jailed after relationships with victims
Rhett Wilson had sexual relationships with two women who reported cases of domestic abuse.
A former West Mercia Police officer has been jailed after having sexual relationships with two women who had reported cases of domestic abuse to the force.
Rhett Wilson, 27, who was previously based in Shropshire, was found guilty of one count of perverting the course of justice.
He had previously pleaded guilty to three police corruption offences and resigned from West Mercia Police in July 2020.
The offences took place from December 2019 to March 2020. The force became aware following information that Wilson was abusing his position for sexual gain.
He was sentenced to 34 months in prison at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (January 20).
Giovanni D’Alessandro of the CPS said: “Rhett Wilson was fully aware of his professional obligations in relation to those he met through his duties. Yet, he targeted women he knew to be vulnerable and used his position of power to exploit them for his sexual gain.
"When he became aware of the police investigation into his behaviour, he deleted all evidence from his phone to evade justice, showing a blatant disrespect for the law.
“Police officers are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, and the vast majority of police officers in West Mercia Police work tirelessly to serve our local communities.
"However, there are officers that break the law and abuse their position for their own benefit which undermines public confidence in policing and the justice system, and such offenders can and will be held accountable for their criminal conduct.
"I would like to thank the victims for their bravery. I hope this conviction and the sentence that followed reassures both them and the wider public that nobody is above the law.”
Deputy Chief Constable Alex Murray said: “Rhett Wilson abused his position as a police officer to start relationships and it is likely his victims did not even know what he was doing was wrong.
"The public need to have confidence police officers will act with the utmost integrity and not abuse their powers.
"Wilson’s actions could seriously undermine that confidence and his exploitive behaviour will not be tolerated in West Mercia Police.”
The incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Internal misconduct proceedings will now take place.