Student officer sentenced over victim relationship

A former student police officer has been sentenced over an inappropriate sexual relationship with a victim of crime.

Robert Veza was serving on a Sheffield neighbourhood policing team in 2023 when he first contacted the victim to discuss a crime, South Yorkshire Police said. He then started a relationship that continued into summer 2024.

Veza, 45, of Buchanan Road, Sheffield, was in his probation period with the force at the time. He was arrested and suspended from duty in September 2024.

After pleading guilty to misconduct in public office at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Veza, who was given a 10-year restraining order, was also ordered to pay prosecution costs.

The former student officer resigned in January.

The force said an internal misconduct investigation would still continue despite the resignation and guilty plea.

South Yorkshire Police previously said: "We will root out any officers, staff members or volunteers who fail to reflect the values of our organisation and fall below the standards members of the public rightly expect."

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