A police officer who is still on the force has testified in court on charges of repeatedly raping and abusing a young girl sexually.
Paul Hill, 58, is accused with two charges of rape and two counts of penetration assault on girls under the age of 13.
According to reports, the attacks happened between 2009 and 2015, a six-year span.
When the Northamptonshire Police officer arrived yesterday in the Westminster Magistrates Court dock in London wearing a black suit and a white open shirt, he did not enter a plea.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address and to assure the district judge that he understood the proceedings while being supported in the public gallery by his wife and a representative of the Police Federation.
The hearing lasted around five minutes, and the Northamptonshire police officer from Kettering exhibited minimal emotion throughout that time.
Attorney Jordan Pratt did not provide a summary of the facts of the case and did not object to the officer being released on bond with the restriction that he not have direct or indirect contact with his claimed victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
These are really significant claims, he said.
No one is opposed to bail since this case began as a requisition.
“I would ask for one condition of release that he not contact the complainant in this matter, either directly or indirectly.”
Louise Stephens, his attorney, mostly focused on handling administrative issues.
Unless you are granted an alternative date, I am going to move this matter to Northampton Crown Court for 9.30am, with the bail condition being that you don’t contact the complainant directly or indirectly. That’s what District Judge John Zani said to him.
I completely understand, the officer replied. I appreciate that a lot, honour. I want to thank the judges in this court today.
The prosecutor then established that Mr. Hill is an active Northamptonshire Police officer.
At the subsequent session, a formal plea is anticipated to be entered, and trial preparations are anticipated.
‘We can confirm a police officer has been charged with four non-recent sexual assault crimes and has been suspended from work until the conclusion of the prosecution,’ a Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said.
He will likely go through disciplinary procedures down the road if proven guilty.