POLICE OFFICER SACKED FOR TAKING EXPLICIT PHOTO DURING COURT TRIAL AND SENDING IT TO VICTIM
A police officer has been dismissed from his position for misconduct after he secretly investigated a domestic abuse victim, began a sexual relationship with her, and then during a court trial, took a picture of his penis in a toilet cubicle and sent it to the woman, who was a victim of domestic violence.Pc Christopher Lintern, who was involved in investigating her case, began a secret relationship with her in 2015, after which he used his official position to pursue an intimate and inappropriate relationship.
During a hearing, it was revealed that he took the explicit photograph while on duty in a toilet cubicle at Bristol Crown Court and subsequently sent it to the victim.
The misconduct hearing found that Lintern breached professional standards related to authority, respect, and courtesy, and discreditable conduct by both taking and sending the photograph.
Although he admitted the misconduct, he denied it was gross misconduct.
He also acknowledged the relationship but argued it was a workplace affair, not an abuse of position.
Lintern, who is married, claimed the woman was not vulnerable when they met nor during their relationship, despite her being a victim of domestic violence by an ex-partner who was later convicted and given a restraining order following his investigation.
The panel condemned his actions, stating, "The panel finds that Pc Lintern used his professional position to pursue and establish a sexual and improper and highly-damaging emotional relationship with someone who was, and remains, a victim," and emphasized that his abuse of his role constituted serious corruption with damaging consequences.
