From BBC

A police officer who had sex with vulnerable women while on duty has been jailed for three years.

PC Adam Rushton, 37, who was branded “a disgrace to the police service”, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for five counts of misconduct.

Rushton, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, was also found guilty of breaching data protection laws.

The ex-Staffordshire Police officer was based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent when the offences took place.

‘Frightened women’

Rushton’s conviction relates to five women he met while working, two of whom he was found guilty of having sex with when on duty.

The offences spanned four years, from 2008 to 2012.

During his three-week trial, prosecutor Duncan Bould said the officer’s duties had brought him into contact with “vulnerable and frightened” women, often in “extreme circumstances”.

Rushton, who has been with the force for 10 years, said it was “not very professional” to go to one woman’s home for oral sex, while separately sleeping with two others.

However, he rejected claims his conduct amounted to criminal misbehaviour.

Judge Murray Creed said it was concerning to hear colleagues had tried to warn Rushton over his behaviour, and said that on one occasion “you did not tell the truth to senior officers seeking to help you”.

‘Smelled of garlic’

The court heard the most serious incident involved a very vulnerable victim Rushton had visited in uniform at her home.

He had made up the reason for the visit – accusing her over a “bogus cyber bullying issue” – and convinced her to expose herself as part of his fake investigation, the court heard.

Judge Creed said: “Plainly that must have been humiliating.”

Another woman he met through an internet dating site and he was found guilty of receiving oral sex from her during a work-time break.

He was also convicted of going to her home, while in uniform, with the intention of having sexual contact.

The judge said: “She believed you wanted to have sex, but in any event it didn’t take place as she found you smelled of garlic.”

Deputy Chief Constable Nick Baker said: “Adam Rushton brought shame on himself, his colleagues and Staffordshire Police.

“I hope it [the sentence] brings some comfort to those who have suffered as a result of Adam Rushton’s actions.”

Rushton was dismissed by Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Jane Sawyers after a misconduct hearing on Monday.

IMAGES:

Adam Rushton has been branded a “disgrace”

Rushton denied his actions amounted to criminal misconduct

For more on this story go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-32551145