Police officer jailed for sexual assault and indecent messages despatched to cadets

A former police officer who despatched sexual messages and indecent photos to youngsters on a cadet scheme has been jailed for 5 years. Adnan Ali, 36, sexually assaulted three victims, aged between 15 and 18, and despatched sexual messages which have been “bordering on relentless” whereas engaged on the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) cadet scheme and apprenticeship programme Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday.

Ali, who was supported by eight relations in courtroom as he was sentenced, was convicted of 15 counts of misconduct in a public workplace and 5 sexual assaults following an earlier trial.

Judge Denis Watson KC mentioned Ali “deliberately ignored” tips for cadet schemes which included rules of respect and safeguarding.

He mentioned: “Your vanity meant you decided you wanted to be seen as the star of Greater Manchester Police cadet programme.

“Your real interest was yourself rather than the cadets, the public at large or the police force you purported to serve.”

The courtroom heard he “indulged in making sexual remarks” to the younger folks and despatched messages about sexual actions, positions, preferences and companions in addition to exchanging sexual pictures.

One of his victims was sexually assaulted whereas on a cadet camp, whereas different incidents befell in an workplace and in a automobile, the courtroom heard.

The choose added: “The reputational damage you have caused to Greater Manchester Police and the police service generally and to cadet and apprentice schemes is huge.”

Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, mentioned Ali’s incentive was sexual gratification.

She mentioned eight of the 9 victims had supplied statements concerning the affect on them.

She instructed the courtroom: “The overwhelming common denominator from all of those is the scale of loss of trust in these young people for other people in authority.”

Jane Osborne KC, defending, mentioned quite a lot of character references, together with from mother and father of one other cadet, had been submitted to the courtroom.

She mentioned Ali, a father-of-one, was attacked whereas on obligation in 2013 and suffered post-traumatic stress dysfunction.

Ali, of Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, has been dismissed from the drive and efforts are being made to make sure he’s not eligible for his police pension, a spokesman for GMP mentioned.

Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, Chief Superintendent Mike Allen mentioned: “Though Ali is now in prison thanks to the commendable bravery of the victims and integrity of those who worked with him, it is the view of Greater Manchester Police that he should never reap the benefits of having been an officer.

“He has already been added to the College of Policing’s barred list – preventing him from serving for the rest of his life, and we are now following the process to try to ensure that he loses his valuable pension.”

Greater Manchester deputy mayor Kate Green mentioned: “This is an appalling and sickening case and I want to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward so justice can be done.

“Police officers are there to keep the rest of us safe, but instead of being a role model, Ali abused his position to prey on vulnerable young cadets who simply wanted to learn so they themselves could one day protect the public.

“Allowing him to collect his pension after committing these offences would be an insult to his victims. I fully support GMP’s proposals and will now make the case to the Home Office for Ali to be ordered to forfeit his pension.”

Regional director for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Catherine Bates mentioned: “Former Pc Ali has shown no remorse for his actions, which have had significant and lasting effects on many of the young people he was supposed to be looking after.

“His behaviour has absolutely no place in policing and I am pleased to see this sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.

“His horrific actions were massive breach of the trust placed in him and an unforgivable abuse of his position. Instead of caring for these young people, he saw an opportunity to exploit them.

“Since concerns were first brought to our attention by GMP in October 2018, a huge amount of work has gone into ensuring Ali was held accountable for his actions. Just as importantly, this investigation has led to substantial changes being made to protect young people.”