A FORMER police officer found guilty of rape and attempted rape following a five day trial had been investigated over allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour for more than a decade, it has emerged.

Wayne Scott, who had already admitted several rapes, wept in the dock as the verdict was delivered.

The 37-year-old had already pleaded guilty to a number of sexual offences in relation to another victim who he raped seven times and a sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl.

An investigation is now being carried out by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the circumstances surrounding the former officer’s conduct and force’s subsequent investigation into the offences.

Today at Newcastle Crown Court he was found guilty of attacking the victim on two separate occasions.

Jurors had heard that Scott had ripped off her jeans and underwear before attempting to rape her in his home.

The victim told jurors that she screamed and shouted in a desperate attempt to alert neighbours before the sexual predator stopped and laughed off the attack.

On another occasion the former Cleveland Police officer raped the woman in his car after consensual sex.

The court heard that Scott had raped one woman seven times and assaulted her twice – all charges which he had pleaded guilty to before the trial.

And their gasps from some members of the jury when it was revealed that he had also pleaded guilty to three offences against a 15-year-old girl.

Scott had been facing one charge of sexual assault and two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual touching.

The Recorder of Newcastle Judge James Goss QC told Scott that he would be sentenced in December.

He said: “I am asking for a pre-sentence report to assess the potential of risk due to the number offences that he has been convicted. There have been other offences beyond those that the jury knows about.”

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Superintendent Peter McPhillips, who led the investigation, said Scott had brought shame on the force and the police uniform.

He said: “I’m pleased with the outcome given today. Wayne Scott is a sexual predator who has been a disgrace to the office of constable, and deserves to be behind bars.”