Police officer put on sex offenders list
A POLICE officer was today placed on the sex offenders register after admitting sexually assaulting a former colleague.
David Roythorne, 52, the former head of Northumbria Police’s mounted section, was also given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a charge of sexual assault.
The former police sergeant, who retired from the police in May 2007 after 30 years service, had originally faced trial in July last year accused of nine counts of indecent assault, three of sexual assault and one of assault.
During his trial Roythorne said the allegations were false or just part of the locker-room culture of the force.
Prosecutors said he was a bad tempered bully but he insisted he was just an old fashioned officer intent on getting results.
Roythorne, of West Moor, North Tyneside, was cleared by a jury of seven counts of indecent assault and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
But they failed to reach verdicts on five other charges of indecent and sexual assault and a re-trial was ordered.
Roythorne’s retrial began yesterday and following his guilty plea, he was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to place his name onto the sex offenders register for a period of 12 months.
The remaining three charges of sexual assault and indecent assault will be left to lie on file.
The former policeman was formally found not guilty of theft after the prosecution decided not to offer any evidence.
Roythorne was charged originally in August 2007 following an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation.
The investigation examined allegations about his Roythorne’s behaviour towards fellow police officers and civilian staff between July 2001 and September 2006 while he was in charge of the mounted section, based at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland.
IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: ``David Roythorne believed his behaviour towards the staff under his supervision was simply locker-room banter, but our independent investigation concluded it was bullying and harassment of the worst kind.
“He exerted his authority through fear and intimidation. I would like to commend the personal courage of the complainants who came forward.
“I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that Mr Roythorne has acknowledged finally that his actions were unacceptable.
“This investigation was conducted thoroughly and with great sensitivity and is a credit to the work of our investigators.”
This case marked the first occasion in which IPCC investigators used the powers given to them under the Police Reform Act 2002 to arrest and charge an individual.
Under the Act investigators in an independent investigation have the powers of a police constable.
Sue Sim, Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, said: “We referred this matter to the IPCC for investigation.
“Mr Roythorne has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault and has been sentenced. He is no longer a serving Northumbria Police officer.”
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