POLICE OFFICER WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WOMAN SENTENCED
A police officer working in Devon and Cornwall has received a sentence of one year in prison, which has been suspended, after being convicted of a sexual assault involving a woman.A jury acquitted PC Kane Haywood, aged 30, of two counts of rape but found him guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration.
The sentencing occurred at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday, where he was ordered to serve a one-year jail sentence suspended for 18 months.
The incident took place in Exeter in March 2021.
Court proceedings revealed that Haywood met his victim via social media and travelled to her apartment when he was off duty.
In January 2023, authorities charged him with sexual assault and rape.
During the trial, the court heard that Haywood's actions were influenced by a misinterpretation of signals and a loss of self-control, which ultimately led to his conviction.
Judge Peter Blair KC stated that Haywood, who resides in East Devon, had displayed a cavalier attitude and a sense of entitlement, with his misconduct causing significant psychological harm to the woman.
The judge explained that the decision not to impose immediate custody was based on his assessment that Haywood did not pose an ongoing risk to women.
He emphasised that the suspension of Haywood's police employment itself would serve as a form of punishment, adding that losing his career would make it difficult for him to find work or reintegrate into society.
Haywood, who has been on suspension since his arrest, was visibly emotional when he was released from the dock and expressed gratitude to the judge after the sentencing.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the court ordered Haywood to pay £1,000 in costs and placed him on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Parker condemned Haywood's conduct as 'wholly despicable' and called it a 'deeply worrying crime.' He assured the public that most officers act with integrity and that any misconduct is thoroughly investigated.
Officer Detective Constable Hayley Willison, involved in the case, stated, "I hope the conclusion of this case goes some way to providing closure for the victim, but I know that for every victim who comes forward there are others who do not.
"I would urge anyone who is the victim of a similar crime to talk to us.
"We will believe and support you, and we will work together with partners to bring perpetrators to justice."
