Staffordshire police officer had sex on duty with vulnerable woman, court hears

Pc Adam Rushton is accused of 10 counts of misconduct in a public office and two counts of obtaining personal data.

The hearing at Birmingham Crown Court was told that the officer, aged 37, targeted seven women who he met in the course of his duties for his own sexual gratification.

Mr Duncan Bould, prosecuting, told the jury that Rushton had on occasion taken one of the ladies to Longton station, where he is based, in a marked police vehicle and while wearing his uniform to have sex in 2006.

"When they got there she had to wait in the car presumably to make sure the coast was clear.

"That part of the police station was in darkness. He told her to keep quiet and once they were inside the door was locked. We can infer that the whole purpose of that trip was to have some sexual activity in the police station. He spun her round and kissed her. She put his own handcuffs on him. It was intended to go further but for the fact that somebody disturbed them and they had to leave. They had been on there for 30 to 40 minutes. He told her afterwards not to say anything to anybody because he could lose his job. You have to ask yourselves if he did not know it was misconduct."

Mr Duncan told the jury that on many occasions the defendant would visit the homes of the women dressed in his full uniform and carrying his radio that would be working and turned down.

He said Rushton was spoken to by his senior officers about his behaviour towards a mother who he helped to rehouse to a hotel, after the manager of the premises recognised him when he returned to visit her in his civilian clothes.

He was allegedly found at the property by a sergeant, but remained there after saying he was showing concern and brought nappies and baby wipes, and was having a coffee with the mother.

The serving officer, of Newcastle-under-Lyme is also accused of using police computers to find out information about two of the women.

He denies the charges. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2012. He was arrested in April 2014 and questioned about the matters.

The trial continues.