Cop's Jail Time for Abusing Victim He Was Supposed to Protect

0:00On April 10th, a former detective in Northumbria Police's Child Abuse Unit got 18 months in jail for abusing his position with A. 14-year-old rape victim, he was assigned to help. John Hamilton, a 55-year-old officer, made an unannounced visit to the girl's school and suggested they drive near the spot where she was. Attacked, that night he sent her a bunch of inappropriate messages in two drunken voice notes even after she said she wanted to sleep. The judge slammed him for breaching the trust of a super-vulnerable kid who came to police for protection. The independent office for police conduct said his actions were totally unacceptable, especially since he worked in safeguarding. Hamilton had 25 years on the force, starting with the Metropolitan Police before moving north in 2019. He was at a low point after splitting from his partner and drinking heavily when the case hit in September 2021. Investigators from the IOPC launched a probe that November suspended him and charged him last August.

1:01With a gross misconduct carrying still ahead, this case shows how even season cops can't cross those lines.