Ex-PC who sent 'explicit' messages to woman jailed

A man who sent "sexually explicit" messages to a woman he met as a victim of a burglary has been jailed for six months.

Daniel Jackson had been a PC for Leicestershire Police for about two years when he was asked to investigate a case on 8 May 2022.

He began messaging the woman that evening before giving her his personal number, where messages escalated from being "flirtatious" and led to them kissing.

The 38-year-old admitted one count of misconduct in a public office when appearing at Leicester Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard Jackson exchanged hundreds of messages with the woman over a space of 13 days, including arranging a visit where they kissed.

During some messages the defendant told the woman he was concerned about the possible impact on his job, and also told her he was married.

When the burglary investigation was stopped the messaging began to "cool down", the court heard, but on 8 June 2022 Jackson was reported to Leicestershire Police's Bad Apple system for reporting potential misconduct.

He subsequently voluntarily resigned from the police force, and the court also heard his marriage had ended as a result of his actions.

Judge Timothy Spencer KC, sentencing, told Jackson the victim "was clearly vulnerable, and you must have known that", adding giving her his personal number showed "the madness that overtook you".

"This is a disaster for everybody - for you, your ex-wife, your children and your family," he said.

"You knew that you were taking advantage."

The judge also pointed to the "hugely impressive" support for Jackson from his family and a range of references, but said he could not suspend the custodial sentence "in accordance with my public duty".

"If one could put this [case] aside, you are an outstanding member of society, you have made so many positive contributions, and if you could rewind the clock you would never have got involved," he said.

"It gives me absolutely no pleasure and a huge amount of regret to send you to prison."

Jackson was charged after an investigation carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was passed onto the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Following sentencing, Derrick Campbell, director of the watchdog, said: "Police officers must not to engage or pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with anyone they meet during the course of their duties.

"This case serves as a warning to any officer who fails to maintain those professional boundaries."

Following the sentencing, David Sandall, deputy chief constable of Leicestershire Police, thanked the victim for "her continued courage and co-operation which has ultimately led to this outcome".

"As a force we expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from all of our officers and staff," he said.

"Jackson fell way below this standard abusing the position of trust that he held.

"His actions are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

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