DOMINIC LIVERSEDGE, EX-CAMBRIDGE POLICE SERGEANT, JAILED FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 14-YEAR-OLD SCHOOLGIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Cambridge, a former police sergeant has been sentenced to a year in prison after admitting to engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Dominic Liversedge, aged 27, was found guilty of serious misconduct involving a minor, a revelation that has raised questions about trust and professionalism within law enforcement circles.

According to court proceedings, Liversedge had developed a close and inappropriate relationship with the young girl, which began after he befriended her family during rehearsals for an amateur production of the musical Oklahoma. Over time, their relationship progressed from casual friendship to one marked by intimate exchanges, including kissing and touching her breasts, which Liversedge admitted to during the trial.

The court heard that Liversedge had managed to gain the trust and approval of the girl’s parents, even after they met him in a pub and believed he was a positive influence on their daughter. The family’s trust was exploited, as they were unaware of the sexual activity that was taking place behind the scenes. The relationship was further concealed by Liversedge’s efforts to present himself as a responsible adult who was looking out for the girl’s well-being.

It was only after Liversedge confided in two fellow police officers with whom he shared a residence that the truth came to light. The officers, concerned for the girl’s welfare, reported the matter to authorities, leading to an investigation. The case was brought before Luton Crown Court, where Judge Barbara Mensah delivered a stern warning to Liversedge, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. She stated, “You should know, more than anybody else, that what you were doing was totally unacceptable and very serious. There is that great age discrepancy coupled with the fact that you are not an unintelligent man and would have known that what you were doing was serious and unacceptable. Young people don’t have the experience, don’t have the maturity to make decisions about relationships of this nature and very often endure long-term suffering.”

During sentencing, it was revealed that Liversedge had a tattoo on his wrist bearing the initials of the girl and the words: “Best Buddies till the end of the road,” a symbol of the inappropriate bond he had formed. The court also noted that Liversedge had joined the police force in 2003, was promoted to sergeant in May of the previous year, and was on track to become an inspector before his career was abruptly ended. He was suspended from duty when the allegations surfaced and subsequently resigned after pleading guilty at Luton Magistrates Court on June 30.

Defense counsel Jeremy Kendall highlighted that the family of the girl had believed Liversedge was positively influencing her, and that they had trusted him to maintain appropriate boundaries. The family’s approval of the relationship was based on their interactions with him, which they thought were benign. However, they remained unaware of the sexual nature of the relationship until the case was uncovered.

In addition to his prison sentence, Liversedge will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The case has left many in Cambridge and beyond questioning how someone in a position of authority could betray the trust placed in him, and it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation by those who are supposed to protect them.