FORMER DERBYSHIRE POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW LONGMATE SENTENCED IN CHESTERFIELD FOR MISCONDUCT AND SEXUAL BETRAYAL

Matthew Longmate, a 48-year-old ex-police officer from Derbyshire, has been formally convicted and sentenced to a prison term of 11 months following a review and subsequent quashing of his original suspended sentence. The case, which has garnered significant public attention, centers around allegations of misconduct in a public office, specifically involving inappropriate sexual conduct while on duty. The incident took place in Chesterfield on October 4, 2015, and has since become a notable example of breaches of trust within law enforcement.

Initially, Longmate was sentenced in January to 12 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for a period of one year. The decision was made during a sentencing hearing, where the court considered the gravity of his actions but opted for a lenient approach. However, the Solicitor General, Robert Courts KC, was not satisfied with this outcome and formally referred the case to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the original sentence was unduly lenient and did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the misconduct.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Longmate was on duty at the time of the incident and had offered to give a woman a lift home after a night out. The woman involved in the incident engaged in a sexual act with Longmate, as well as with another officer, PC Daniel Nash. The sexual encounter took place inside Longmate’s patrol car, an act that shocked many and raised questions about the integrity and professionalism expected of police officers.

The incident and Longmate’s subsequent actions caused widespread outrage, especially given the betrayal of trust involved. Longmate had previously been dismissed from Derbyshire Police and had a documented history of misconduct, which further compounded the public’s concern about accountability within the police force. The judge at the original sentencing, Judge Christopher Hehir, described Longmate’s actions as a “very grave betrayal of trust” and acknowledged the humiliation inflicted upon the woman involved. Despite recognizing the severity of the misconduct, Judge Hehir expressed a degree of mercy, stating that he did not wish to send Longmate to jail at that time.

However, following the Court of Appeal’s decision to revoke the suspended sentence, Longmate was ultimately sentenced to serve time in prison. This case underscores the critical importance of integrity and accountability within police ranks and highlights the serious consequences that can arise from abusing authority for sexual gratification. Authorities continue to emphasize that such breaches of trust undermine public confidence in law enforcement and must be met with appropriate legal repercussions to uphold justice and maintain community trust.