Ex-policeman, 83, found guilty of raping a woman after she was unable to pay a fine

An 83-year-old former police officer has been convicted of raping a woman after she was unable to pay a fine.

Prosecutors said David Lomax forced himself upon the victim whilst visiting her home in Leeds in October 1978.

The defendant, who worked as a warrant officer with West Yorkshire Police, was accused of putting his hand on the mother’s shoulder after hearing she was unable to pay a fine and telling her: ‘Well, we could solve this.’

Sophie Drake, prosecuting, told how Lomax then led the woman into her bedroom and raped her.

‘The woman did not consent to it,’ she added.

‘She did not want sex but she was in effect blackmailed in to it.’

The pensioner, who was in his 40s at the time, was charged after his DNA profile was matched in a cold case review in 2016.

During a three-day trial, jurors heard that the OAP, of Esher Grove in Waterlooville, Hampshire, had been arrested at the time but there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

The woman had reported it to police several days after the assault and a DNA sample was retrieved from a towel.

Despite this, Lomax evaded prosecution.

But, after being re-arrested last year and eventually charged, a jury at Leeds Crown Court convicted Lomax by majority verdicts of rape and misconduct in public office.

His defence team said that when he arrived at the address the woman had jumped out of a window and run away.

He said while he was at the property he had found a pornographic magazine, masturbated and then left.

The pensioner, wearing a grey suit and aided by a walking stick, looked emotionless as he was told the verdicts.

He is awaiting sentence.