A former Thames Valley Police constable who was based at Amersham Police Station has been convicted of a child sex offence.
Luke Christopher Horner, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in penetrative sex with a child aged 13-15 at Northampton Crown Court today (August 3).
The conviction follows an incident that took place while Horner was off-duty in Rushden, Northamptonshire, on June 11, 2023, involving the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.
The matter was subsequently investigated by Northamptonshire Police.
Horner was arrested and taken into custody on June 13 and suspended from duty the same day. Horner resigned from Thames Valley Police on July 26.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Osborne from Northamptonshire Police said: “First of all, I want to thank the family of the young girl in this case who put their trust in us to investigate it and bring Luke Horner to justice.
“I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty today which has prevented them from having to go through the trauma of a trial, and I hope that whilst what happened can never be erased, that this result will allow them to move forward.
“Cases of child sexual exploitation are always abhorrent but the fact that Luke Christopher Horner was a serving Thames Valley police officer, in a position of trust, makes this case all the more shocking. He is a disgrace to the uniform and I am glad that he will now go to prison and never be allowed to call himself a police officer ever again.
“Finally, I would like to thank Thames Valley Police for their support and assistance with our investigation.”
Thames Valley Police made an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which decided that the matter should be subject to a local investigation by the force. This is underway and misconduct procedures will now follow.
Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs of Thames Valley Police said: “We are all appalled by Luke Horner’s crimes, and our thoughts are with the young woman who has been affected and her family.
“The bar at which standards are set in policing is rightly high. Anyone who falls below those standards in this way betrays the public’s trust and confidence in policing and the values of the profession as a whole. I welcome his admission of guilt and resignation from the force.”
Horner will be sentenced on September 8, 2023.
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