I have highlighted on many occasions in this blog the huge problem of predators within the Police Force who groom vulnerable individuals, most frequently female victims of crime, whom they see as ‘fair game’ for their own incontinent sexual desires. A trial involving particularly heinous crimes of this nature has just concluded at Birmingham Crown Court, and I represent one of the several victims of the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” officers involved.
PCs Steven Walters and Anthony Ritchie of West Midlands Police stood trial on counts of misconduct in public office. Walters was accused of having domestic violence victims give him oral sex during callouts to their homes; one of his victims (my client) was also taken advantage of by PC Ritchie, who instigated a sexual relationship with her after likewise meeting her in the line of duty. Ritchie was also accused of pursuing a sexual relationship with a woman whom he met whilst arresting her son.
Both of these unrepentant officers entered pleas of not guilty to the criminal charges against them; Walters accusing both of his victims of lying about the sex acts, whilst Ritchie, accepting that he had slept with both women, maintained his behaviour did not amount to misconduct in public office.
Thankfully, the Jury saw through these contemptible defences and both men have today been convicted of misconduct in public office and now await sentence.
These events took place back in 2013-14, when the prevalence of Police predators had not yet been fully exposed to the public eye, and in such a culture of silence, many victims of their abuse of power felt isolated. Fear and vulnerability were no doubt part of these officers’ calculations in their cynical exploitation of these women: already abused by male partners, and as a result often emotionally fragile and lacking in confidence, officers no doubt thought they could treat such women as accessible sex objects and that they would remain timid and pliable. It was a despicable abuse of trust and power.
My client disclosed to the Court how Walters had, during the sex act, participated in a radio call with Police colleagues which he seemed to get a sick ‘kick’ out of. My client was then preyed upon again the following year, when PC Ritchie visited her home after she had been threatened by her violent ex-partner. PC Ritchie subsequently began messaging my client on a personal basis and a few weeks later came around to her house (uninvited) for “coffee.” Thereafter he began to visit her regularly for sex.
Meanwhile, PC Walters had repeated his pattern of behaviour by getting a second domestic violence victim to give him oral sex in the bathroom of her house, after he had attended in response to her crime report.
The third female victim met PC Ritchie when he came to her house to arrest her son; he initiated a relationship with her and visited her home for sex whilst on duty. The Jury also heard that in 2014, as a result of a separate incident Ritchie had been punished with the ‘slap on the wrist’ of “management advice” after he had texted a robbery victim congratulating her on meeting a “fit Police officer” and asking her out on a date. In my opinion, that incident alone should have been enough for him to be drummed out of the Police Force.
It was also revealed during the trial that PC Walters had actually been jailed for sexual assaults on two further women whom he met in 2015, again in the course of his duties.
So, two more officers who abused their privileged positions have received their comeuppance; but how many more like them remain, in a Police service still awash in the cultures and behaviours of toxic masculinity? It is utterly outrageous that female victims of crime should have to worry about whether the main agenda of the Police officer responding to their call, is not investigating the crime but the opportunity for that officer to get his penis out at the earliest opportunity.
The good news is that this case demonstrates that in today’s world accountability can be achieved; the Police perpetrators sentenced for their crimes; the victims believed. I will now be pursuing for my client the apology and just compensation which she deserves from the Chief Constable, who is liable in these cases for the abuses of his officers, to help her along the path to healing.
Update
Both Former West Midlands Police officers were sentenced in September 2023. Anthony Ritchie was jailed for four years and Steven Walters for two-and-a-half years. Read more here.
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