A police officer has been jailed after he pulled down a teenager’s top and took pictures of her chest.
The married dad-of-four Paul Hinchcliffe, 46, was sent to prison for eight months today after his vile sexual assault of an 18-year-old girl.
He pulled down her top and took pictures of her chest at a Wetherspoons pub in Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire, on the afternoon of October 3 2020.
Judge Robin Mairs recounted the drunken events that night, and how Hinchcliffe took a photograph of the woman and showed the other officers he was with, saying “I’m going to have a w*** to that tonight”.
He then began flicking beer foam at her chest in what the judge said was him simulating semen.
Hinchcliffe then pulled open the woman’s top and photographed her breasts inside her bra while making orgasm noises before sharing the image to a colleague.
The teen was left so distressed by the incident she got a friend to pick her up so she could go home.
The woman, who lived with her parents, was at home later when she got WhatsApp messages from Hinchcliffe with a picture of her accompanied by what the judge called “m*********** emojis”.
One message said: “God I’d do you, is that bad?”
The judge told him his behaviour “betrays your fellow officers who do a decent, committed job and makes women mistrustful of the police force”.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the 18-year-old complainant said in an impact statement: “All my trust for the police just went.
“I used to feel safe when I saw police officers. I never think that now.”
Hinchcliffe resigned from South Yorkshire Police after his conviction and has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.
He was also placed on a police barred list meaning he will never work in policing again.
Chief Constable Poultney said: “This case demonstrates that wrongdoing and poor standards will not be tolerated in South Yorkshire Police. Whether our officers and staff are on duty or not, the public rightly expect us to portray the true values of policing at all times and this former officer fell woefully below these expectations.
“I am mindful this hearing follows the release of the Casey report last week and wish to assure our communities that here in South Yorkshire Police we are doing absolutely everything we can to root out those who are not fit to represent your force.
“This particular case was investigated following an internal report to our Counter Corruption Unit, which demonstrates the willingness of the vast majority of our workforce to stand up for what is right. Force standards and culture continue to be my top priority and when wrongdoing and poor standards are identified, the perpetrators will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”