Ex-police officer who raped girl in 1970s jailed

A former Leicestershire Police officer who raped and sexually abused a teenage girl in the 1970s has been jailed for 10 years.

Police said Barry Grummet - who worked for the force between September 1970 and October 1981 - assaulted the schoolgirl at her home in Leicestershire.

Leicestershire Police said the offences were first reported in 2023 and that he denied the allegations during a voluntary interview.

The 86-year-old, of Loughborough Road, Hathern, was found guilty of rape and three counts of indecent assault following a trial, and was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Police said in 1977, Grummet visited the girl at home to check on her after she was absent from school and raped her.

He visited her on further occasions over 18 months when he touched her inappropriately, they added.

Grummet also sexually assaulted a woman at an address in the late 1970s when he touched her inappropriately. He was not on duty at the time, the force added.

Det Insp Amanda Boswell, from the force's child abuse investigation unit, said: "Grummet was working as a police officer - a position that carries great responsibility and trust.

"Taking advantage of and abusing that role for sexual gratification will simply not be tolerated.

"Both victims must be commended for coming forward and providing evidence in front of a jury that has resulted in him finally being brought to justice for what he did nearly 50 years ago.

"I hope this outcome provides them with a degree of closure and allows them to move on with their lives as best they can."

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