Officer pursued relationship with abuse victim

A police officer pursued an inappropriate relationship with a domestic abuse victim and kissed her daughter on her head while reading her a bedtime story.

Kashif Saghir, 23, met the woman in the course of his duties as a response officer in Derby in September 2024, and gave her his personal phone number, Derbyshire Police said.

After he returned to her house on more than one occasion, the force said the woman became "increasingly concerned" about his behaviour and reported him to police.

Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Saghir, of Sneinton Boulevard in Nottingham, was found guilty of misconduct in public office and given a nine-month jail term, suspended for 12 months.

Police said after giving the woman his personal phone number, the following week he visited her house with a cake for her daughter's birthday.

When the woman said that her daughter needed to go to bed, police said Saghir followed her upstairs into her child's bedroom, where he cuddled the girl and kissed her on her head while reading her a bedtime story.

The force said two days later, Saghir turned up at her house again and stayed late into the evening.

After he was arrested in October 2024, police said following an investigation by the force's professional standards department, Saghir was charged in late 2025 and appeared at court for trial after denying the charge.

On Friday, Saghir was also ordered to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £187.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said: "Police officers and staff are expected, at all times, to protect our communities - in particular vulnerable victims of crime.

"Kashif Saghir broke that trust and pursued a relationship that he knew to be not only improper, but illegal.

"It is essential that our communities know our officers and staff will always work with the upmost integrity and, as a force, we will not stand for those who behave in this manner.

"Saghir was immediately suspended from duty following the initial report and, following him being found guilty and jailed, will now be subject to an internal accelerated misconduct hearing."

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