Former Bristol police officer jailed for misconduct

A former Bristol police officer who had sex with a pole dancer while on duty and cavorted with three other women has been jailed for four years.

Kenny Lewis, 26, met the stripper after taking a statement from her but then visited her home for sex three times - even tying her up with his handcuffs.

Lewis also used the police force computer (PNC) to access confidential files to have sexual relations with other women including an 18-year-old college student.

He had sex with the women and told them because he was a police officer they would not believe anyone if they reported him.

Lewis, of Bibery Close, Nailsea, was cleared of three charges of rape and one charge of sexual misconduct.

But he pleaded guilty to eight charges of misconduct in public office including two counts of misuse of police files.

He also admitted two other charges of misconduct with the stripper, two similar charges in relation to a third woman and one in relation to a fourth victim.

Lewis was branded ''shameless'' as he was sent to prison for four years at Exeter Crown Court today.

Judge Graham Cottle said: ''You shamelessly used your position as a police officer for the selfish pursuit of sexual gratification.

''This was not an isolated fall from grace, it was a mile from that.

''You targeted vulnerable women for only one purpose and that was to achieve sexual gratification for yourself and in no sense was genuine affection a feature of this case.

''Your behaviour, while you were supposed to be serving the interests of the public as a police officer, amounted to a flagrant breach of the trust placed in you to serve those interests.

''It undermines the confidence that the public need to have in the police to know that an officer can quite shamelessly use his position as you did.

''Your behaviour will be held up by many as a reason why the public should not trust the police.

''At a time when dedicated police officers are determined to build up trust and respect you have succeeded only in undermining that objective and threatening those values.

''I consider that to be the true measure of the seriousness of this case and it is precisely for that reason that an example must be made of you.''

The court heard how Lewis met the married 33-year-old pole dancer through work after he was tasked with interviewing her in relation to a road accident.

But he regularly visited her home for oral sex sessions - while in full police uniform as a qualified sergeant. He also had sex with an 18-year-old college student.

The offences took place place between April 2005 and March 2008 and following the allegations Lewis resigned.

Mitigating Michael Fitton QC said Lewis had ''thrown away'' a career and he wished to apologise to the victims, his family and his former colleagues.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Supt Louisa Rolfe, said: ''Kenny Lewis abused his position of trust and authority, using his access to privileged information to identify and target potentially vulnerable women.

''Although acquitted on three charges of rape and one of misconduct Lewis admitted eight other charges.

''Avon and Somerset police commend these women for having the courage and determination to come forward and assist in the investigation which has been a difficult one for all involved.

''As a police service everything we do is aimed at making our communities feel safe and be safe. Kenny Lewis has personally let down for colleagues working towards that aim.''