West Midlands Police officer, 40, is sacked and told he faces jail over 'sexualised' relationship with domestic abuse victim
- PC James Ankrett, 40, abused powers and started 'inappropriate' relationship
- He was with West Midlands Police when he 'deliberately' handed over number
- The ex-officer, from Hednesford, was dismissed after police misconduct hearing
- Ankrett admitted charge of corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers
PC James Ankrett abused police powers and started an 'inappropriate' relationship with the woman for his own sexual gratification
A 'corrupt' cop who launched into a 'flirtatious and sexualised' relationship with a vulnerable domestic abuse victim has been sacked.
PC James Ankrett abused police powers and started an 'inappropriate' relationship with the woman for his own sexual gratification.
He was on duty with West Midlands Police when he 'deliberately' handed over his personal mobile phone number to the victim during a call-out to her home.
The former officer, from Hednesford, was dismissed following a police misconduct hearing on Thursday, October 14.
It came after the 40-year-old admitted a charge of corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers at Wolverhampton Crown Court last month.
Ankrett - who did not appear at his misconduct hearing - is due to be sentenced at the court next week.
Herjinder Singh, solicitor at West Midlands Police, said Ankrett's behaviour was a 'clear breach' of police protocols.
Speaking at the misconduct hearing, he said: 'We say that [culpability] ranked high. It was especially serious because it resulted in a criminal conviction for a serious offence.
Ankrett - who did not appear at his misconduct hearing - is due to be sentenced at the court next week
'It was the officer who made a deliberate decision to give his personal mobile phone to a member of the public.
'The communication very quickly became flirtatious and sexualised.
'There are various aggravating factors in this case. His intention was sexual gratification. It amounts to a serious abuse of his position as a police officer.
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'His conduct continued for a period of time. The victim was vulnerable. The conduct was a clear breach.
'He made no attempt of seeking advice of a colleague or more senior officer..'
Ankrett began the inappropriate relationship with the victim in July 2017 and was charged two years later following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It came after the 40-year-old admitted a charge of corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers at Wolverhampton Crown Court (pictured) last month
The ex-force response officer was restricted from duties and was working in a non-public facing role after the allegation was made.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said Ankrett's behaviour was 'totally unacceptable' and dismissed the officer without notice.
He told the hearing at the force's Birmingham headquarters: 'The officer is convicted of a very serious crime concerning the corrupt and improper use of police powers.
'It is unacceptable for police officers to break the law. This is an extremely serious case.
'There is harm in this case. The victim has placed trust in the officer during a difficult time in her life.'
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