ROMFORD POLICE OFFICER JOHN WIGGLESWORTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN ROMFORD AND DAGENHAM

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Police Constable John Wigglesworth, aged 46, from Romford, has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offenses involving a minor. The incident, which unfolded over a period of years, culminated in Wigglesworth receiving a four-year prison term following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 25 February.

Wigglesworth, who was an active member of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. As part of his sentence, he will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his actions and the breach of trust inherent in his role as a police officer.

The police officer was arrested at his residence in The Ridgeway, Harold Wood, Romford, on 4 August 2015. Later that day, he was formally charged with multiple offenses. Wigglesworth pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in sexual activity with a minor girl, specifically a girl aged 13 to 15, which is contrary to section 9.1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. However, he was acquitted of three counts of rape and two additional counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Wigglesworth’s interactions with the victim. It was established that he initially made contact with her through the social networking platform Netlog. The officer arranged to pick her up from her school and take her to his home in Chadwell Heath, where they engaged in kissing and cuddling. On a subsequent visit, Wigglesworth took her back to his house, and the two engaged in sexual activity. These encounters occurred despite Wigglesworth’s suspension from duty, which was imposed following his arrest.

As part of the internal misconduct process within the Metropolitan Police Service, Wigglesworth will face a special case hearing. His actions have not only led to criminal charges but also to disciplinary proceedings within the police force, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct.

In a separate but related case from January 2016, Wigglesworth admitted to having sexual activity with a schoolgirl, although he denied the allegation of rape. The victim, now 22, testified at Snaresbrook Crown Court that she trusted Wigglesworth because he was a police officer. She explained that she agreed to meet him because she had nobody else to confide in. Wigglesworth, who used the alias John Smith and the username ‘Bluestar212’ on social media, allegedly arranged to pick her up from her school and drove her to his house in Dagenham. There, he reportedly forced her upstairs and assaulted her.

The victim recounted that she was manipulated into trusting Wigglesworth, believing he was a genuine authority figure. She also stated that Wigglesworth warned her that reporting the incident could lead to her being in trouble. Wigglesworth was eventually tracked down and arrested in August of the previous year. During his arrest, he claimed to officers that their interactions had been limited to kissing and cuddling.

Wigglesworth’s online activity was scrutinized during the trial. He admitted to creating profiles on dating websites, including lookitsme.co.uk, where he sometimes shared user details with other sites like Netlog. His online aliases included ‘Bluestar212,’ a nickname inspired by a childhood remark about his eye color and the racing number of stock car driver Frankie Wainman. He also used the names John Smith and Jonny Blue Eyes, citing that these pseudonyms were partly a joke and partly a precaution advised by his work to avoid being targeted by criminal elements.

He described meeting two women through these online platforms, one of whom was the alleged victim. Wigglesworth claimed that he met her in autumn 2007, approximately 150 meters from her school, and drove her to his home in Dagenham. He described their interaction as friendly, involving chatting and kissing, and stated that they went upstairs to his bedroom. He insisted that no sexual activity occurred at that time, only touching and caressing. He claimed to have stopped the situation when he realized the potential legal consequences.

However, during subsequent meetings, Wigglesworth acknowledged that he engaged in sexual activity with the girl. He described feeling a sudden realization that he was in a situation he should not be in, which led him to cease further contact. He attempted to justify his actions by fabricating an excuse involving a motorcycle story to explain his absence for three weeks. Despite this, he admitted to having no further contact with her after that period.

Wigglesworth expressed feelings of panic during his arrest, stating that he could not reconcile the charges of rape with his understanding of what had transpired. His arrest in August last year marked a turning point, and he admitted to the jury that he was overwhelmed by fear and confusion at that moment.

Throughout the proceedings, Wigglesworth maintained his innocence of the rape charges but admitted to the sexual activity with the minor. His case continues to be under judicial review, with the trial ongoing. The community and authorities alike are awaiting further developments as the case unfolds, highlighting the breach of trust and the serious consequences of his actions.