EX-POLICE OFFICER JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST THREE GIRLS
Phillip Abbiss, who was actively serving as a police officer with West Yorkshire Police when he committed an offence against a 13-year-old girl in her home, was convicted of multiple crimes.He also faced charges related to offenses against two nine-year-old girls committed during his teenage years in 1973.
During his sentencing, a judge described Abbiss as an “arrogant bully” with a strong sense of “sexual entitlement” towards his victims.
Abbiss, residing on Valley Close in Alwoodley, Leeds, was found guilty of two counts of gross indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault following a trial held at Leeds Crown Court.
The jury heard how he targeted the two girls near his then residence in Horsforth, Leeds, deliberately isolating them from others.
One of the victims, in a statement read aloud during court proceedings, expressed ongoing trauma, stating, “I have lived with this for over 40 years and it is not something that will ever leave me.” She also recounted how she initially reported the abuse in 2012 but was left devastated when the Crown Prosecution Service and police decided not to pursue further action.
In 2015, investigations into Abbiss’s past offenses were carried out.
The court also learned that in 1992, when Abbiss was a serving police officer, he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.
The victim explained her reluctance to report the incident for many years, questioning, “Who would believe me over a serving police officer?” She expressed the lasting impact on her life, saying, “I have lived with this for over 25 years and it has sent me to some very dark places.” Judge Joanne Kidd addressed Abbiss’s behavior, noting that he instructed his legal team to “belittle” the 1992 victim during her testimony, describing this as a sign of his arrogance and sense of entitlement.
Abbiss’s solicitor, Mark Kelly, insisted that his client maintained his innocence regarding the charges.
Following the trial, West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate spokesperson, Detective Chief Superintendent Oz Khan, reflected on the case, stating, “It is regrettable that we were unable to secure a prosecution against Abbiss at the time of the first complainant coming forward.
The allegation was taken seriously, and a file was submitted to the CPS with the available information; however, they advised that there was insufficient evidence to charge him at that time.
In 2015, two additional victims came forward, leading to an investigation by Leeds Child Safeguarding Unit and ultimately to his being charged.”
