Cleveland Police officer banned after performing sex acts with colleague

PC Matthew Lewis quit Cleveland Police when the allegations came to light that the pair perform oral sex on a number of occasions.

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Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the force, told a gross misconduct hearing that there was ‘incontrovertible’ evidence that the former officer would have been sacked immediately if he was still a serving officer.

The former officer was found to have committed gross misconduct and would have been immediately dismissed from the force.

The disciplinary hearing was told how the ex-copper also shared sexual images of a woman with a colleague without the woman's consent.

The former officer declined the opportunity to attend the hearing and a police federation representative said he had accepted his behaviour and that it amounted to gross misconduct.

Chairman Stephen Gowland said the panel had found an allegation that Mr Lewis carried out sexual activity in a police vehicle not proven as there was insufficient evidence.

However, they agreed that he had lied about sharing the images of the woman, known only as Miss A, with another officer.

Mr Gowland said: "He didn't tell the truth about sending the images. He clearly sent the to PC B."

Dealing with the sexual offending, he added: "Taking part in sexual activity is not acceptable behaviour whilst on duty or in police premises."

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector John Bonner said: “Former police officer Matthew Lewis resigned from Cleveland Police during an investigation by the Force’s Directorate of Standards and Ethics department following an allegation of misconduct.

“Despite his resignation and there being no criminal offences found, Cleveland Police continued to investigate him under police conduct regulations to ensure a thorough investigation.

“The panels determination, that Matthew Lewis would have been dismissed had he still been a serving police officer, ensures he will permanently be barred from any future employment in the police service.

“We understand that the public will be concerned by this behaviour from a police officer and would like to assure the public that this will not be tolerated and any officer or member of staff behaving in this manner will be held to account.”

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