West Midlands police officers guilty of having sexual relationships with women while on duty face jail

Two West Midlands police officers have been found guilty of misconduct in public office after engaging in sexual activity with women they met on duty. Steven Walters, 55, forced a vulnerable domestic abuse victim into performing oral sex with him while he was on the radio in order to gain control because it "gave him a kick."

His colleague Anthony Ritchie, 46, then had sex with a grieving widow while wearing his police uniform and then asked her to lie to superiors about the relationship. A court heard the West Midlands Police officers both engaged in sexual activity with the same victim.

According to reports, Walters initiated an inappropriate relationship with the victim in October 2013 when he visited the woman’s home. Ritchie later began his sexual misconduct with the same woman following his initial visit to her address in June 2014.

He also sent messages from his personal phone and they had sex after he arrested her partner, who was then remanded in custody. The pair denied misconduct in public office relating to three women but were on Monday (July 17) found guilty by a jury sitting at Birmingham Crown Court.

They will be sentenced on September 21.

Cathryn Orchard, prosecuting, had told the court how Walters first struck in October 2013 when he attended the home of a vulnerable woman while he was on duty. Miss Orchard said: "Whilst there he made comments about her tattoos. He kissed her and then had her perform oral sex upon him.

"In relation to Ritchie he attended the same victim’s home address while on duty on June 5, 2014 due to a domestic incident. Following that incident, he instigated an inappropriate sexual relationship sufficient to constitute gross misconduct."

In a police interview, the woman said Walters had come to her home in Kingstanding, Birmingham, because of problems she was having with an ex-boyfriend. She claimed after kissing her neck they were later sat on the sofa when he unzipped his trousers and "made me do stuff to him."

Miss Orchard said: "He got her to perform oral sex on him whilst he was on the radio getting a log number." She said the victim got the impression that "he must have got a kick out of that."

She later began a sexual relationship with Ritchie having sex on at least five occasions. The court heard Ritchie also sent sexualised text messages to her including one which said "I could finish early if you promise to suck my c**k."