Former West Yorkshire student police officer jailed for sexual assault

A former West Yorkshire student police officer has been sentenced for sexual assault.

Ben Bottomley, 23, has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

He committed the crimes prior to joining West Yorkshire Police while he was a student officer, a Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Following the conviction, the 23-year-old has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life and may be barred from working a policing role ever again.

This follows an investigation by West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate into off-duty offences which were reported to the police after Bottomley joined the force.

He was suspended from duty since the outset of the investigation into his actions.

On 22nd April, a jury found him guilty of his actions.

PC Bottomley – who was based in Kirklees District – was sentenced to four years for rape and one year for sexual assault to be served concurrently.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of WYP Professional Standards Directorate, said at the time of his conviction: “These were extremely serious allegations to be made against a serving police officer and he was immediately suspended from duty when the investigation commenced in June 2023.

“The victim has shown immense courage in coming forward to report these offences.

“We do not underestimate how hard it is to report such offending in any circumstances but understand that there may also be additional concerns when the perpetrator works in policing.

“I hope the investigation and subsequent prosecution show that police and partners will take action, regardless of the occupation of the offender.”

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She continued by saying the force is committed to protecting women from violence and sexual violence, adding: “PC Bottomley has demonstrated a disregard for the victim’s right to consent and, in addition to any custodial sentence he is given, he will now be subject to extra conditions on him as a convicted sex offender.”

West Yorkshire Police’s misconduct proceedings will be continuing, despite his sentence, and officers are looking to bar him from working in policing again.

Featured image via SWNS