A police officer from Preston has been jailed for assaulting and indecently assaulting a woman.

Jonathan Allwright, 49, admitted three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one count of common assault and one of indecent assault.

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All charges date back to between 1996 and 2012 and relate to one female victim who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Allwright, who served as a road traffic officer, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday (5 March) and was sentenced to six years. He has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

He was most recently serving as a sergeant in Blackpool before being suspended in September 2016. He will also face misconduct proceedings from Lancashire Police.

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Deputy chief constable for Lancashire Police Sunita Gamblin said: For many years the victim in this case was apprehensive about telling the police of the control and abuse she had suffered. She was worried she would not be believed as the perpetrator committed this abuse whilst employed as a police officer. It has taken a tremendous amount of courage for this lady to come forward and place her faith in Lancashire Police. I would like to thank her for trusting us to seek justice on her behalf. The conviction and sentencing today is a result of the strength the victim has shown and the support she has received from police and partner agencies.

“I hope this conviction and sentence will reassure victims of physical and sexual abuse that no matter what the circumstances are and no matter who the perpetrator is, we will investigate with integrity and fairness and support survivors of abuse.

“Albeit these offences were committed off duty, Jonathan Allwright’s behaviour is abhorrent and in stark contrast to the high standards and ethics held by the employees of Lancashire Constabulary.

“His offending has risked undermining the Police Service and the excellent work the vast majority of officers and staff do every day. “