A DISGRACED former Hampshire police chief has today been jailed for a series of humiliating acts on young boys.
Gerry Hutchings, 48, a former police inspector in the New Forest, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for making teenage boys drop their trousers while he was reprimanding them.
Brighton Crown Court, sitting at Brighton Magistrates' Court, heard how Hutchings had 11 victims who he made strip naked and on some occasions touch their toes while he looked on.
Ten of the incidents, which left his victims "embarrassed and frightened", took place in Lyndhurst where he was an inspector for 13 years.
Hutchings was also given an ASBO which will come into force when his sentence is completed.
Judge Cedrick Joseph said Hutchings would serve eight months before being released but would be banned from working unsupervised with children under 18.
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Deputy chief constable Ian Readhead who was at court for the hearing said after sentence: "Mr Hutchings' abhorrent actions as an inspector are a disgrace to the uniform worn by all law-abiding police officers.
"His behaviour is totally untypical of those serving with Hampshire constabulary and falls far short of the high standards we exact from our staff.
"I have personally visited the victims at their homes to apologise on behalf of the constabulary for this officer's actions,
"As a police service we are committed to ensuring Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remain safe places to live.
"That commitment extends to police stations where members of the public have a right to feel especially secure."
The incidents took place between July 2006 and July 2007.
As a result of the investigations Hutchings was subjected to a fast track disciplinary hearing where he was dismissed with immediate effect in August last year by Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan.
Prosecutors offered no evidence against ten further allegations of sexual offence and Judge Jospeh officially recorded a not guilty verdict.
A spokesman for CPS said the discussion had been taken because there was no realistic hope of a successful prosecution.
District Crown prosecutor Tim Thompson said: "The police and CPS have worked closely to uncover the facts surrounding the serious allegations.
"As a result of this investigation we accepted Mr Hutchings' pleas on the basis that he conceded his actions were a misuse of power and that he enjoyed this misuse of power over young men in custody.
"Once we accepted the plea we decided there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction in relation to sexual offences charges and discontinued those charges.
"I have written personally to all the victims involved in this matter.
"I hope they will be pleased with the resolution of the case and that Mr Hutchings has admitted his behaviour and has been sentenced accordingly."
Thanks for your comments - this feedback is now closed
Posted by: Vicky, Southampton on 12:32pm Fri 9 May 08
Good. This sort of behaviour give the police that are trying to do their jobs properly a VERY bad name. What on earth made him think that this was acceptable, and that he would get away with it! What a fool!
Good. This sort of behaviour give the police that are trying to do their jobs properly a VERY bad name. What on earth made him think that this was acceptable, and that he would get away with it! What a fool!
Posted by: Amy, Southampton on 3:21pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]JB Soton[/bold] wrote:
He's got the sort of face I'd like to smack. Cons are going to have a field day with him. Good![/quote] He'll probably like that though!!
JB Soton wrote:
He's got the sort of face I'd like to smack. Cons are going to have a field day with him. Good!
Posted by: Liam the Eggman, Bishopstoke on 4:52pm Fri 9 May 08
I save my anger for those who rape, kill, maim, terrorise or destroy. This pathetic man got his kicks from watching young reprobates touch their toes but I'm not sure I particuarly care about the young victims being "frightened and embarrassed" - after all they'd all been pulled into the nick for a reason and he didn;t actually lay a finger on any of them, poor little lambs.
I save my anger for those who rape, kill, maim, terrorise or destroy. This pathetic man got his kicks from watching young reprobates touch their toes but I'm not sure I particuarly care about the young victims being "frightened and embarrassed" - after all they'd all been pulled into the nick for a reason and he didn;t actually lay a finger on any of them, poor little lambs.
[quote][bold]JB Soton[/bold] wrote:
What on earth is going on with his barnet?
[/quote] His receding hairline appears to have it's own receding hairline
JB Soton wrote:
What on earth is going on with his barnet?
His receding hairline appears to have it's own receding hairline
if i had done this i wouldnt have been looking at months, a it does not matter who the guys were this ugly crime happened to they are still human beings and innocent until proven guilty
if i had done this i wouldnt have been looking at months, a it does not matter who the guys were this ugly crime happened to they are still human beings and innocent until proven guilty
[quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote:
I suppose following this conviction, Hampshire Constabulary will be paying out compensatory damages to the eleven victims.[/quote] In addition to those having been convicted on his testimony requesting a retrial and/or appeals.
A bent copper like this creates all sorts of problems - his life will have been shortened big time.
Frank wrote:
I suppose following this conviction, Hampshire Constabulary will be paying out compensatory damages to the eleven victims.
In addition to those having been convicted on his testimony requesting a retrial and/or appeals.
A bent copper like this creates all sorts of problems - his life will have been shortened big time.
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