West Yorkshire Police officer found guilty of historic rape

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 17:58 · Archive

PC Jo Lavender, 45, was convicted at York Crown Court of raping a woman in 2002, more than two decades before the victim reported it in December 2024.

PC Jo Lavender, 45, was found guilty at York Crown Court of raping a woman in 2002. The victim reported the offence in December 2024, more than two decades after the attack occurred. Lavender was working in the Leeds district at the time of his suspension and is from Castleford.

Lavender joined West Yorkshire Police in 2005, three years after the rape took place. He has been bailed ahead of sentencing on 3 November.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, head of West Yorkshire Police's Professional Standards Directorate, said: "The victim has lived with the trauma of what PC Lavender did to her for two decades before coming forward to report this offence in 2024."

"I would like to express my admiration for the bravery she has shown," Wilkins added. "I do not underestimate the courage it takes to report something like this, and even more so knowing that by that time the man responsible was a police officer."

Wilkins urged other survivors to report offences, saying: "Please know that we will listen and we will act; it doesn't matter who the perpetrator is or where they may work."

West Yorkshire Police said it would now continue with misconduct proceedings against Lavender. The force confirmed it intends to bar him from working in any role in policing in the future.

How it is being reported

• Police officer found guilty of raping womanPC Joe Lavender is bailed ahead of sentencing on 3 November.BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire · 19 Oct, 17:27
• Leeds police officer found guilty of historic rape of woman 24 years agoHe is due to be sentenced on November 3Yorkshire Evening Post · 19 Oct, 17:10
• West Yorkshire Police officer guilty of rape after victim came forward 22 years onPC Jo Lavender, 45, is due to be sentencedLeedsLive · 19 Oct, 17:08
• West Yorkshire Police officer found guilty of raping woman before joining forceA serving West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman more than 20 years ago, before he joined the force.Yorkshire Post · 19 Oct, 16:43
• Police officer found guilty of rape more than 2 decades after attackThe victim reported the rape in December 2024, more than two decades after the attack.Telegraph & Argus · 19 Oct, 16:40

In this story: PC Jo Lavender · West Yorkshire Police · York Crown Court · Tanya Wilkins · Leeds

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem