A FORMER Lancashire police officer has been given a suspended prison sentence after trying to pursue sexual relationships with victims of crimes.
Stuart Lunt, who worked as a Detective Constable in South division, pleaded guilty to Misconduct in a Public Office in February. The conviction relates to four female victims of crime with whom over the course of a number of years, 2017-2019, Lunt tried to pursue sexual relationships.
The case was investigated proactively by Lancashire Constabulary’s Integrity and Anti-Corruption Team and supervised by the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
Lunt, of Greaves Close, Wigan was today (April 6th) at Liverpool Crown Court sentenced to 18months prison sentence suspended for 2years and 250 hours unpaid work.
On sentencing Judge Aubrey said: “You have taken advantage of vulnerable women and exploited each and every one of them, akin to grooming. You have betrayed the badge you were wearing and taken advantage of those most in need.”
The judge also added that if it was not for the exceptional circumstances currently being experienced this would not have been a suspended sentence.
DCI Jane Webb said: “Firstly I would like to thank and commend the victims in this case for having the bravery to come forward and report these allegations to us. Today’s outcome would not have been possible without them.
“Police officers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour in both their public and private lives and Stuart Lunt has clearly failed to adhere to those standards.
“He has risked undermining the public’s confidence in the police service as a whole and the fantastic work undertaken every day by the vast majority of our staff.
“We will continue to proactively target malpractice and wrongdoing in Lancashire Constabulary, as we did with this case, to ensure that the communities we serve can have confidence and trust in us.”
Lunt has tendered his resignation but will still be subject to misconduct proceedings.