Police officer sentenced for domestic abuse of two women

A police officer convicted of domestic abuse against two women has been sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work.

Tariq Mahmood, 45, was found guilty of repeatedly kicking one of his victims on the body and acting in an abusive manner towards a second woman, who was pregnant.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Mahmood - who was also placed under supervision for two years - will be subject to non-harassment orders against his two victims for a period of four years.

Police Scotland said Mahmood's actions went against everything the service stood for and praised the victims' strength for reporting the crimes.

The offences were committed between April 2019 and February 2022 in Edinburgh, Newtongrange in Midlothian and elsewhere.

As well as physical violence, the charges against Mahmood stated that he repeatedly blamed one of his victims for not having children together, repeatedly accused her of having an affair and repeatedly shouted and swore.

In the case of his second victim, he repeatedly threatened to remove her child from her, told her what clothes to wear and referred to her childhood trauma.

Mahmood, of Livingston, West Lothian, was found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 2 June.

He was on restricted duties for at least a week after his conviction.

But Police Scotland told BBC Scotland News his suspension was authorised "at the earliest opportunity".

A spokesman added: "Following his conviction, he has not undertaken any deployments, hours of duty or work as a constable."

On Wednesday, Sheriff John Cook said Mahmood had committed "serious offences" but added there was an alternative to custody.

The court heard he plans to resign from Police Scotland.

Mahmood worked for West Midlands Police in his native Birmingham from 2008 to 2018 before moving north.

Advocate Edith Forrest KC said her client - who has 16 years' police service - maintained his innocence but apologised for some of his behaviour towards both women.

The force said now that criminal proceedings had concluded the matter could be considered in terms of conduct regulations.

Police Scotland does not have the power to automatically sack officers convicted of domestic abuse before they have been through an internal disciplinary process.

Some campaigners say the law needs to change.

Annie Hirdman's former police officer partner was convicted in 2021 of assaulting her.

Ms Hirdman told BBC Scotland News that officers convicted of "cruel crimes" like domestic abuse should be sacked on the spot and not have the option of resigning.

She said: "The whole point of being a police officer is you hold an oath to not commit crimes and to protect the public.

"If you're out there abusing that position and not protecting the public then why should you be able to be called a police officer?"

The Scottish government said the new Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act introduces several measures to improve police complaints and misconduct systems, including "enhancing integrity and accountability of police officers and providing for ongoing vetting throughout all officers' careers."

A spokesperson said: "We are consulting on proposals for further changes to police conduct regulations, including accelerated misconduct proceedings."

Chief Supt Helen Harrison said: "Mahmood's actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for.

"Our thoughts are with the victims and I hope this conviction provides them with some measure of closure.

"I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing this individual to justice."

Chief Supt Harrison said she understood how difficult it could be to report such offences, especially when they had been committed by a police officer.

She added: "We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.

"All officers are bound by our Standards of Professional Behaviour, which apply on and off duty.

"Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken."