Married Dalkeith-based police officer arrested and accused of sexual assault

A married police officer’s career is in tatters after he was arrested by his own colleagues and accused of sex assaults and a number of other offences.

Arrested officers was based at Dalkeith Police Station

The 43-year-old – based at Dalkeith – was first carpeted by Police Scotland senior officers last November and was arrested last month after exhaustive interviews with a young mother at the centre of the allegations.

He was hauled into a taped interview after allegations were made by a rape survivor, whose former partner is currently serving eight years for a string of horrific assaults on her and another woman.

The woman at the centre of the claims told officers that their colleague, who was involved in the investigation into her ordeal at the hands of her ex-partner, made contact with her after the court case.

He is then alleged to have emailed her from his personal account and befriended her before striking up a sexual relationship.

The officer – who cannot be named – is accused of sexual assault and breaches of the communications act. He remains under investigation amid claims other vulnerable young women were also targeted.

Tight-lipped senior Police Scotland officers have refused to discuss any aspect of the probe, referring any queries to the force’s corporate communications department.

The case, which was initially handled by a senior procurator fiscal in the west of Scotland, has now fallen under the remit of specialist prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator’s National Sex Crimes Unit, led by senior counsel experienced in handling cases of this nature.

Confirming scant details of the probe, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged on Monday, 25 January, 2021, in connection with a Police Scotland public protection investigation.

“The male, who is a serving officer, was formally suspended by Police Scotland in November 2020 and following the criminal proceedings, a report will be submitted to the Deputy Chief Constable Professionalism for her consideration."

A spokesperson for the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed: “The Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division (CAAP-D) of COPFS has received a report concerning a 43 year-old police officer.

“The report remains under consideration.”

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