Disgraced Cop Who Engaged In Sex With Domestic Abuse Victim Likely To Face Jail

A disgraced 40-year-old West Midlands cop has been convicted of abusing his position by having sex with a domestic abuse victim whom he was assigned to help.

In 2017, PC James Ankrett of Hednesford, Staffordshire, struck up a relationship with the woman after he was given the responsibility to help her following an assault, reported Daily Mail.

On the second day of his trial on Tuesday, the cop admitted to improper exercise of police powers and misconduct in a public office. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that the sexual relationship between the two ended in May 2018. He was charged after the Independent Office for Police Conduct's (IOPC) investigation.

He pleaded guilty to "pursuing personal contact with the woman in order to form a personal and sexual relationship facilitated by the use of police resources and during designated tours of duty when he knew or ought to have known it was improper."

Judge Recorder Christopher Millington QC told the jury that the disgraced cop should expect to get a sentence of imprisonment at the forthcoming hearing. The maximum sentence for improper exercise of police powers and misconduct in public office is life behind bars.

He was bailed and will face the court on Oct. 18 for sentencing. Millington QC said that he is sure that Ankrett understands that by granting him bail, he is not making any promises as to the eventual outcome.

Meanwhile, West Midlands Police said that as an internal investigation is pending, Ankrett has been suspended. Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said, “The actions of PC Ankrett have undermined the very essence of our force’s core value of protecting the public and helping those in need."

She added that the cop used his position to have an inappropriate relationship. He has been accused of damaging the reputation of the force. Now, he will go through an internal disciplinary process, she shared.

But one Twitter user wondered how a crime was committed if the woman gave her consent, and questioned if she lacks the ability to make her own choices. He also pointed out that there was no mention of the cop being violent towards her, and it was just two lonely people being there for each other.