Female police officer who had sex with rape victim she was assigned to protect is jailed

Charlotte Peters, 33, (pictured) turned concerned with the susceptible lady when she was working for Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Youngster Abuse Command

A police officer who had intercourse in a McDonald's bathroom with a rape sufferer she was assigned to assist was at the moment jailed for 22 months.

Charlotte Peters, 33, turned concerned with the susceptible lady when she was primarily based within the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Youngster Abuse Command within the Metropolitan Police.  

She was in a 'place of belief' however they first slept collectively on the lady's grandfather's home on February 24 this 12 months.

However Peters, of Luton, Bedfordshire, refused to depart her associate for the sufferer and threatened to kill herself when she advised workers about their affair.    

The officer was answerable for performing as a liaison between the sufferer and the police investigation, when she had sexual encounters with the sufferer who was 'in love' along with her.

And at the moment Peters was jailed for 22 months at Southwark Crown Courtroom, after she beforehand pleaded responsible to misconduct in public workplace. 

She turned in the direction of the general public gallery and mouthed 'love you' as she was jailed.

Kate Bex, prosecuting, mentioned Peters was educated to cope with the 'emotional influence' on victims of sexual assault and would have been anticipated to recognise victims' vulnerability. 

The pair's first sexual contact - a kiss - happened on February 24 on the refuge the place the sufferer was staying.

Ms Bex mentioned the sufferer 'flirted' with Peters and 'made it clear to her that she discovered her enticing and subsequently in her personal phrases she inspired it'.

A few days later consensual sexual activity happened on the sufferer's grandfather's home when Peters was on obligation, Ms Bex mentioned.

One other sexual encounter occurred on the identical place on March 1, one other in a resort on March eight and later the identical month the pair had sexual activity within the 'bathrooms at McDonald's'.

The connection was revealed when the sufferer advised a member of workers on the refuge that she had damaged up with Peters.

The court docket heard that the sufferer mentioned she realised that Peters was by no means going to depart her girlfriend.

'And to make use of her personal phrases, she was uninterested in being her soiled little secret,' Ms Bex mentioned.

At Peters' request, the sufferer deleted the app on her telephone that hosted messages between the pair.

Peters threatened to kill herself, and the sufferer reduce her wrists leading to her having to go to hospital.

In an interview in November, the sufferer described having been 'in love' with Peters.

Requested if she thought Peters was making the most of her, Ms Bex advised the court docket the sufferer mentioned 'no' and mentioned the sufferer added: 'It was simply two individuals who fell for one another in dangerous circumstances.'

Decide Leonard mentioned it 'beggars perception' that Peters, somebody he mentioned appeared to be so admired, did what she did.

Peters was jailed for 22 months at Southwark Crown Courtroom (pictured) after she beforehand pleaded responsible to misconduct in public workplace

Referring to the sufferer as 'V', he mentioned: 'It's clear that V cherished you and you liked V and you aren't being punished for that truth.'

The decide mentioned the police drive was 'shocked' by her actions, saying: 'I settle for that your behaviour was out of character.'

However he added: 'You need to have realised as quickly because it began how inappropriate your relationship was.'

The decide advised Peters her actions will deliver her profession to an finish.

He identified that whereas the connection was consensual he doesn't settle for that her behaviour was not 'predatory'. 

The Met Police's non permanent deputy assistant commissioner, Richard Martin, accountable for professionalism, mentioned: 'The general public and the Met count on law enforcement officials to behave with the utmost professionalism.

'It was Computer Peters' job to guard these she was entrusted to assist. She clearly abused her place by beginning a relationship with the individual she was there to help, when that individual was at their most susceptible.

'Such behaviour solely damages the general public's belief and confidence within the police and is totally unacceptable.

'I wish to thank the sufferer who got here ahead and supported this prosecution. It was immensely courageous, and has ensured that Computer Peters has been held to account for her actions.'

Peters was suspended from obligation on March 21 and now that prison proceedings are full she shall be topic to a misconduct evaluation, the drive mentioned. 

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