A serving Hertfordshire police officer has been charged with two counts of rape and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child.
James Ford, 30, who is an intervention officer based in East Hertfordshire, is due to appear at at Cambridge Crown Court on November 29 after he was charged with an alleged string of ‘deeply concerning’ child sexual abuse offences.
Mr Ford, who has served just under two years’ service in Hertfordshire Constabulary, appeared at Peterborough Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on bail until November 29, when he is due for a pre-trial hearing.
One serving Hertfordshire Police officer was charged with sexually assaulting and rapering a child aged 13 years old in connection to a series of “deeply concerning” offences. (Stock image)
He has been accused of an alleged assault of a girl under 13 by touching, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, two charges of rape of a girl aged under 13 and a final charge of committing an act or series of acts to pervert the course of justice.
He has been suspended from the force since October 22 following an independent investigation by officers in Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit.
Bill Jephson, Deputy Chief Constable said that it was deeply concerning to learn of the charges against a Hertfordshire serving officer.
“I fully acknowledge that the news will concern members of the general public; however, we must now allow criminal proceedings to take place. We should also avoid speculation which could hinder the case’s progress through the courts.
In a statement, Hertfordshire Constabulary said: ‘A serving Hertfordshire police officer has appeared at Peterborough Magistrate’s Court today (Monday 15 November) charged with a number of serious child sexual abuse offences.
“James Ford (30), an intervention officer based in East Herts was released on bail and will appear before the Cambridge Crown Court to face a preliminary hearing.
‘He has been suspended since Friday 22 October 2021 and has just under two years’ service with the force.
‘Following an independent investigation by officers in Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit, he was charged with assault of a girl under 13 by touching, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, two charges of rape of a girl aged under 13 and a final charge of committing an act or series of acts to pervert the course of justice.’