Former police inspector guilty of sex attacks on young men in custody

A former police inspector has been found guilty of a series of sexual offences.

Gerard Hutchings, 66, carried out unnecessary strip searches on 18 young men, aged in their late teens to early 30s, in custody at police stations in Hampshire between 1999 and 2007.

He made the men remove their clothes before subjecting them to sexual assaults, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Hutchings had denied five charges of indecent assault, five of causing a person to engage in a sexual activity without consent and one of misconduct in a public office. A jury found him guilty on all counts.

The former police inspector previously admitted to 17 counts of misconduct in public office.

The 18 victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were being subject to an unjustified and illegal strip search by Hutchings while being handed a caution or reprimand for minor offences like shoplifting or possessing cannabis, the court heard.

He also sexually assaulted some of them during these procedures.

Eight victims gave evidence during the trial, outlining how they felt during these unwanted strip searches.

One man, who had been arrested for shoplifting, described how he was "humiliated" by Hutchings.

Hutchings, from Southampton, will be sentenced on 24 July.

He was previously jailed for 16 months in 2008 after admitting to 11 counts of misconduct in a public office for similar offending.

Hutchings was sacked by Hampshire Police in 2007 following the complaints.

In 2020, the force launched a new investigation after receiving a report from a man who was similarly searched by Hutchings in 2005.

Officers identified a further 17 victims from 373 people who were named in Hutchings' police notebook.

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Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob France said: "When someone comes into contact with our officers and staff, they should be treated with respect and professionalism.

"Hutchings' behaviour was vile and degrading and clearly nowhere near the expectation we have of our officers."

He thanked the victims for recounting their experience and investigators for their work on the investigation.

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