West Yorkshire police officer convicted of rape at retrial

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

PC Joe Lavender, 45, was convicted unanimously by a York jury of rape after a second trial.

PC Joe Lavender, 45, of Castleford, was convicted unanimously by a jury at York Crown Court after a retrial. The attack occurred before he joined West Yorkshire Police, where he was working in Leeds when charged and convicted. He was suspended from duty when charged. The first jury acquitted him on all charges except one and could not decide on the rape charge, leading to a retrial. The second jury convicted him unanimously on that charge after less than three hours of deliberation.

Lavender must now register as a sex offender. Judge Simon Hickey warned him that a prison sentence will be imposed when he is sentenced on November 3. If he is jailed for more than 30 months, he will have to register as a sex offender for life. The judge granted bail until sentencing to allow Lavender to prepare for jail.

West Yorkshire Police praised the woman's courage in reporting the offence and giving evidence. The victim lived with the trauma for two decades before coming forward in 2024. Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins said the force would now proceed with misconduct proceedings to bar Lavender from any future policing role. She urged victims of sexual offences to report them, saying the force would act regardless of the perpetrator's occupation.

How it is being reported

• Police praise courage of woman after officer convicted of raping herPolice have praised the courage of a woman whose evidence led to a York jury convicting a West Yorkshire police officer of rape.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 20 Oct, 05:00
• Police praise courage of woman after officer convicted of raping herPolice have praised the courage of a woman whose evidence led to a York jury convicting a West Yorkshire police officer of rape.The Press (York) · 20 Oct, 05:00
• Police officer convicted of rape after second trial at York Crown CourtA police officer is today on the sex offenders’ register and preparing for jail after a York jury convicted him of rape at the city's crown court.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 20 Oct, 05:00
• Police officer convicted of rape after second trial at York Crown CourtA police officer is today on the sex offenders’ register and preparing for jail after a York jury convicted him of rape at the city's crown court.The Press (York) · 20 Oct, 05:00

In this story: PC Joe Lavender · West Yorkshire Police · York Crown Court · Castleford · Leeds · Tanya Wilkins · Judge Simon Hickey

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