Former officer jailed for inappropriate messages to a victim of crime

A former police officer has been jailed after sending inappropriate messages to a victim of crime.

Stuart Trentham, 41, who was based in Doncaster, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court today (Monday 17 February), where he was handed a nine-month prison sentence.

The victim had reported the increasingly flirtatious and sexualised messages in August 2022, after she had been in contact with Trentham regarding a case he had investigated.

Our Professional Standards Department launched an investigation immediately, and arrested Trentham on 23 August 2022. He was suspended from duties the same day.

Evidence gathered from Trentham’s devices by our investigators showed how he sent a series of inappropriate messages to the vulnerable victim between July and August 2022.

Trentham resigned from the force on 3 December 2023. An accelerated misconduct hearing into an unrelated internal investigation, regarding inappropriate access of computer systems, was held on 21 December 2023. The hearing found that the allegations constituted gross misconduct and the outcome of the hearing was that Trentham would have been dismissed without notice, had he not already resigned.

The former constable pleaded guilty to one count of wilful misconduct / wilfully neglecting to perform his duty as a holder of a public office at a Sheffield Crown Court hearing on 9 October 2024, and was bailed ahead of today’s sentencing.

Chief Constable Lauren Poultney said: "I do not tolerate criminality and poor standards by my officers here in South Yorkshire Police. Members of the public have the right to a police workforce which reflects the true values of policing at all times, and that is especially crucial when they are reporting a crime to us.

“The victim showed great courage coming forward and reporting Trentham’s criminal behaviour. I know this can be particularly difficult to do when the offender is a police officer.

“Ensuring that our officers uphold the force’s standards and culture is an utmost priority for me, and when misconduct and criminality is identified the perpetrators will be dealt with robustly.”