Police officer, 44, quits after having sex with 'vulnerable' abuse victim while on duty

PC Andrea Griffiths, 44, was set to be sacked for gross misconduct (Picture: Wales News)
PC Andrea Griffiths, 44, was set to be sacked for gross misconduct (Wales News)

A police officer has quit the force after having sex with a sexual abuse victim while on duty.

PC Andrea Griffiths, 44, was set to be sacked for gross misconduct for having a relationship with the “vulnerable” man in north Wales in 2015.

But she resigned on the morning of a misconduct hearing, saying she "deeply regrets" the fling with the unnamed man, who was a victim of historic sexual offences.

A panel heard PC Griffiths had sex with the man – known as Mr X – both on and off duty, but she claimed she only had sex with him once.

North Wales Police presenting officer Amy Clarke said: "She developed an inappropriate personal relationship with a vulnerable male who she was responsible for in 2015.

"Miss Griffiths was tasked with being liaison officer and engaged in sexual activity with him.

“She agreed further that sexual activity happened on duty."

PC Griffiths, who joined the police in 2001, admitted gross misconduct at the hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

READ MORE YAHOO NEWS HERE:

Drunk best man punched bride and dragged her down the stairs at brother's wedding

Police called after Cornish locals send hate-fuelled messages to one another in row over village green

Police close road in Scotland after lorry ‘topples onto patrol car’ during high winds

A statement from PC Griffiths said: "I recognise I shouldn't have had sexual contact with Mr X on June 29, 2015.

“I accept gross misconduct and deeply regret that it happened.

"To avoid further embarrassment to everyone I have resigned forthwith from North Wales Police."

The professional standards hearing was told she had "fallen below professional standards of integrity, authority and courtesy" and shown "discreditable conduct".

Panel chair Susan Davies added: "PC Griffiths knew of Mr X's personal and medical issues while she took part in that sexual activity, whilst on duty.

"She breached standards of honesty and integrity, specifically integrity. She behaved in way that was discreditable to North Wales Police.

"We found that conduct so serious that dismissal would be justified and therefore amounts to gross misconduct."