Police officer guilty of raping woman

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman before he joined the force.

PC Benjamin Bottomley, who was based in the Kirklees area, was suspended from duty in June 2023 after the victim came forward, West Yorkshire Police said.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Bottomley was also convicted of sexual assault against the same woman while he was a student officer.

The 23-year-old, of Miner's Way in Halifax, will be sentenced on 11 June at the same court.

The court heard that, as both offences were reported after he joined West Yorkshire Police, he must also face misconduct proceedings.

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, head of West Yorkshire Police Professional Standards Directorate, said: "The victim has shown immense courage in coming forward to report these offences.

"PC Bottomley has demonstrated a disregard for the victim's right to consent and, in addition to any custodial sentence he is given, he will now be subject to extra conditions on him as a convicted sex offender."

She added: "We will also now continue with misconduct proceedings with a view to PC Bottomley being barred from working in policing in any role in the future."

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