RUSSELL TOOHEY FROM LEIGHTON BUZZARD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH TEENAGE GIRL

In December 2012, a disturbing case emerged involving Russell Toohey, a former police officer from Leighton Buzzard, who engaged in inappropriate conduct with a teenage girl. Despite the gravity of his actions, Toohey was ultimately spared immediate imprisonment, receiving a suspended sentence instead.

Toohey, aged 52 at the time, had served as a police officer for nearly three decades before his arrest. The court proceedings revealed that he had lured a 15-year-old girl to his flat in Leighton Buzzard, where he proceeded to kiss her on the lips and inappropriately touch her thigh. These actions took place after he had supplied her with vodka and coke, which he used to lower her inhibitions.

The investigation uncovered that Toohey had downloaded eight indecent images of girls aged between 13 and 16 from the internet onto his computer. These images, along with the evidence of his misconduct, painted a troubling picture of his behavior. The court heard that Toohey was residing in a flat on North Street, Leighton Buzzard, at the time of the incident, and that he had established a relationship with the girl prior to the events.

On March 20 of the previous year, the girl contacted Toohey to arrange to pick up her iPod, which he had agreed to download music onto. During the visit to his flat, the girl was given alcohol, and Toohey's actions escalated. According to court reports, he took her hand and moved it towards his thigh, close to his groin, before kissing her on the lips. The girl later told police that the kiss was longer than a simple peck and that Toohey had engaged her in conversations about sex and boys, further complicating the nature of their interaction.

Following his arrest, Toohey resigned from Bedfordshire Police. His defense attorney, Miss Stevens, expressed that Toohey wished to apologize sincerely to the girl and her family for his actions. The court was also informed that Toohey had moved to Knowlands, Highworth, in Swindon, by the time of sentencing.

Judge Stephen Warner emphasized the seriousness of Toohey’s breach of trust, stating that his conduct in his flat was a clear abuse of his position and the trust placed in him. Despite the severity of the case, Toohey was sentenced to six months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was placed under the supervision of probation officers for the same period and required to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme.

Furthermore, Toohey was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that will remain in effect for six years, and his name was entered onto the Sex Offenders Register for the same duration. The court also imposed a fine of £500 and ordered him to pay £1,800 in prosecution costs. The computer equipment on which the indecent images were stored was confiscated and ordered to be destroyed, ensuring that such material would no longer be accessible.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns regarding abuse of authority and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation and harm.