Shropshire family's relief as Pc gets the sack over 'inappropriate relationship' with elderly man

Constable Clare Stretton used her position as a family liaison officer to encourage pensioner Charles Foulkes to give her gifts and cash, according to his relatives.

They say she received £100,000 from Mr Foulkes, who was in his 80s at the time, over a 10-year period.

The officer had been assigned to the family after Mr Foulkes' 49-year-old son Colin was murdered by his lodger John Latus in Wroxeter in 2001.

Mr Foulkes, then 82, of Church Stretton, inherited Colin's £180,000 estate. But he

became infatuated with Constable Stretton, then 37, who his family said flaunted herself to the retired painter in low-cut tops and miniskirts.

The family lodged court papers at the high court last year which alleged Mr Foulkes took Pc Stretton on trips and gave her gifts and money.

Constable Stretton, who was based at Malinsgate Police Station, has now been dismissed for gross misconduct after a two-day hearing at West Mercia Police's headquarters in Hindlip, near Worcester.

Three charges against her on breaching Standards of Professional Behaviour on honesty and integrity – including taking £15,000 from Mr Foulkes – were found proved.

West Mercia Police initially said there was no misconduct case for the officer to answer, but the Independent Police Complaints Commission said she should answer a gross misconduct hearing after an appeal by Mr Foulkes' three daughters.

They said they complained to West Mercia Police in 2002, 2006 and 2007 – and that the force should pay damages for its failure to act. The case was settled in their favour.

The daughters' High Court writ contained copies of texts allegedly sent by Stretton to Charles. One describing him as a "very special man" was followed by 14 kisses.

Another read: "You have made my life special in so many ways."

Mr Foulkes died in 2011.

Eldest daughter Michele Pugh, of Craven Arms, said: "We know she persuaded and encouraged our father to spend large amounts of money on her.

"We complained five months after she showed up and she was taken off the case. But she continued to see our father.

"It should have ended a long time ago when she was instructed by senior officers to stop, but she persisted and we wanted closure.

"The findings of the hearing have absolutely delighted us. It's a weight off our shoulders.

Her sister Charmaine, 57, said: "She was in a position of trust and behaved appallingly."

The family's solicitor Nick Turner, of Russell and Co, Malvern, Worcestershire, said: "This case highlights the exploitation of an octogenarian by the female police officer entrusted with helping the family.

"The West Mercia force closed ranks to protect a fellow officer, but the IPCC intervened and justice has now been done.

"It's just a great shame it has taken so long to reach this point.

"It was a result when Mr Foulkes' daughters won their case and compensation from the High Court, but they had to fight to get the misconduct hearing.

"We must not forget that Charles' housebound wife Dorothy, who was suffering from a terminal illness, was made to suffer 'great distress' by Stretton's behaviour."

Mr Turner added: "It was perverse and wrong not to bring misconduct charges against Constable Stretton in the first instance."

West Mercia Police confirmed an officer of 26 years standing had been sacked for forming an 'inappropriate relationship' but would not confirm or deny the name of the officer.

Police say the outcome of the misconduct hearing is subject to the normal appeals process.

Ms Stretton did not wish to comment when approached by the Shropshire Star yesterday.