AS the national spotlight focusses on the perverted actions of a sexually deviant police officer, who has been jailed for life for the brutal murder of Sarah Everard, The Northern Echo takes a look at some of the officers who have brought shame on Cleveland Police.

Wayne Couzens used his Metropolitan Police-issue warrant card and handcuffs to snatch Ms Everard in a fake arrest as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham, South London, on March 3.

The 48-year-old, who was told he will die in jail after being handed a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey, was branded a 'monster' by Ms Everard’s parents Jeremy and Susan.

 

Wayne Scott

He was a serial sexual predator whose campaign of abuse was allowed to continue by the force despite concern being raised about the abuse he inflicted on women and children.

Scott was allowed to get away with his predatory actions for years as colleagues turned a blind eye to his degrading behaviour, often simply dismissing it as ‘Wayne being Wayne’, according to an independent report into his abuse.

The Northern Echo: Wayne Scott following his arrestWayne Scott following his arrest

The pervert was jailed for 19 years for a series of rapes on two victims, but warning signs were dismissed or ignored because follow officers and staff felt unable or unwilling to tackle or report his spiralling sexually inappropriate behaviour.

One of the findings of the 208-page report, published in 2015, highlighted a ‘prevailing culture of indifference towards Scott’s behaviour and an unwillingness to challenge or report his actions'.

His catalogue of sexual deviancy began within months of the start of his police career and escalated over the ten years he served in the force.

Preying on some of the most vulnerable in society, including drug users, prostitutes, victims of domestic violence and young people, the full extent of his offending only came to light after he was jailed for 19 years in 2013.

 

Simon Hurwood

The Detective Inspector was finally brought to task after 21 women complained about sexual misconduct over a period of 14 years.

All the alleged victims are or were serving police officers, staff or in associated companies.

He did not appear at the hearing and in fact retired from the force in September 2018.

He was found to have coerced one young officer into performing a sex act on him in a police vehicle and plagued others into sending him explicit pictures of themselves or having sex with him on police premises, in a sustained campaign of grooming young women and abusing his position in the force, the hearing was told.

At the time the allegations were made, Hurwood was a DI for the force's Professional Standards Department, the unit meant to investigate alleged police officer misconduct.

The Northern Echo: Simon HurwoodSimon Hurwood

Chair of the panel LQC Simon Mallett said there were 21 complainants – ‘young and mainly relatively junior members of the force’.

At the time, he said: "Throughout this time, he was treating the department as his personal recruitment centre for his own sexual gratification.”

  • A senior officer at the force is currently subject to disciplinary proceedings over her role in the investigation into Hurwood. Superintendent Bev Gill is alleged to have failed to act on information made against a colleague about his sexual impropriety with young officers before ‘tipping’ him off about the investigation.

 

David Waller

A FORMER Cleveland Police Constable has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of rape, sexual grooming, and sexual activity with underaged girls.

In 2019, David Waller faced several allegations made by teenage girls, whom he met while he served for Cleveland Police, worked as flying instructor and in various theatre groups.

Teesside Crown Court found Waller guilty of 10 charges against six teenage girls and was jailed for 12 years.

He was also found guilty of misconduct in public office, after he began a sexual relationship with a woman he met during the four years he served as a police constable.

The Northern Echo: David WallerDavid Waller

Judge Toby Hedworth QC described Waller as a "sexual predator."

He told him he had used his position as a police officer to "impress" underage girls and "pursue your interest in girls below the age of consent."

 

Graham ‘Ivor’ Jones

PC Graham Jones, also known as Ivor, was said to have told his hairdresser wife, Maria: "If I cannot have you I will kill you."

Mrs Jones, 36, was stabbed 96 times in the bedroom of the family home in Barwick Close, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, in December 2004, while their three boys were in neighbouring rooms.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 20-year Cleveland Police veteran attacked his wife in a jealous rage after she started a relationship with a younger man following the breakdown of their marriage.

The Northern Echo: Graham 'Ivor' JonesGraham 'Ivor' Jones

He pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He was jailed for eight years, but served just over five, being released from prison in 2009.

Jones refused to resign from the force and had to be dismissed at a disciplinary hearing.

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