Detective sent sexual texts to abuse victim's mum

A detective who was working in child protection was "predatory" in pursuing an inappropriate relationship with the mother of a sexual abuse victim.

John Littlewood, who worked in Warwickshire Police's child abuse, trafficking and exploitation team, committed gross misconduct and would have been sacked had he not left the force, a disciplinary panel decided.

Littlewood, 52, had already admitted one count of improper exercise of police powers, for which he got a suspended jail term of eight months in January, and ordered to do 100 hours of community work.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found he sent 300 texts, many of a sexualised nature, to the woman, in 2023.

The detective, who has been banned from working in policing again, was found to have breached professional standards relating to authority, respect, honesty and integrity.

He originally met the woman in October 2021, when he was assigned to her daughter's sexual assault case.

One message from Littlewood read: "If you are careless with my messages and don't delete them you could really drop me in it at work."

IOPC investigators also found CCTV footage and cell site mapping of his phone, which showed he had met her at a Coventry hotel for around 50 minutes in October 2023.

Littlewood was also found to have paid frequent visits to the woman's home, arousing the suspicions of a support worker who alerted Warwickshire Police's Professional Standards Department.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell, said: "DC Littlewood was working in the public protection unit at the time of these allegations and, as such, had access to vulnerable women.

"He held a position of trust. He abused that position by demonstrating predatory behaviour and pursuing an inappropriate relationship.

"He met her while on duty and used that contact to start up a friendship which led to inappropriate contact including sexualised messages.

"The officer knew his behaviour was improper as he told her to delete messages, some of which were sent while on duty, as they would get him into trouble at work.

"Police professional standards are clear that officers should never use their position to establish or pursue improper relationships with any victims, witness, offenders or other vulnerable person and never enter into inappropriate communication."

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