Lying police officer's actions were 'deplorable' says deputy chief constable
The actions of a police officer jailed for sleeping with a woman he was supposed to be investigating were 'deplorable'.
Former West Mercia Police officer Nicholas Peacock was jailed for 18 months after admitting one charge of misconduct in public office.
Peacock, 40, who was a PC based in Market Drayton, was handed the sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court after previously pleading guilty in October this year.
The court was told that between February and April 2022, Peacock engaged in a sexual relationship with a suspect in an assault case he was investigating.
He failed to investigate fully and closed the crime, saying that there were no witnesses, and that the victim didn’t support a prosecution - neither was true.
The allegations came to light on April 22, 2022, and West Mercia Police said Peacock was immediately suspended.
The force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who led the investigation and referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who then made the decision to bring criminal charges.
The case he had failed to investigate was re-opened and a suspect was charged.
Peacock resigned from the force in March 2024.
Reacting to Peacock's sentence, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones, said: “The dishonesty and lack of integrity shown by Nicholas Peacock is deplorable. He abused his power as a police officer, and in the process totally undermined the trust which the victim had placed in him to investigate the case fairly and impartially.
“I’m pleased that his offences were identified so quickly and that he was immediately suspended. His actions were totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated within our force.”
Despite having already resigned from the force, he will face misconduct proceedings now criminal proceedings have concluded.
