NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE OFFICER DISMISSED FOR CHILD SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
A former police officer, PC Matthew Hunt, has been dismissed from Northamptonshire Police after it was found he sent messages containing sexual references to a 14-year-old girl.The disciplinary hearing concluded that Hunt acted with "predatory sexual intent towards a vulnerable child" he had initially met through his role in the force.
The report indicated that Hunt had "acted on a deeply concerning attraction to Child A with an utter lack of self-control." The child’s school became aware of a plan to meet Hunt for "something to eat," and it was revealed that Hunt had pursued a sexual conversation and likely sought face-to-face contact.
Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet described Hunt as a "disgrace to the force and the wider police service" and emphasized that Hunt resigned before the hearing.
Hunt had been subjected to an interim Sexual Risk Order and was dismissed without notice, with the police entering him on the College of Policing barred list.
The Chief Constable stated, "I will continue to take the strongest possible action to root out people like this officer, who should be nowhere near the police service," and offered an apology to the victim, her family, and the public of Northamptonshire.
Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley added that a Sexual Risk Order was obtained before the misconduct hearing and reaffirmed the force's commitment to rooting out misconduct and rebuilding public trust.
