West Yorkshire Police officer jailed for seven years for rape

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 13:52 · Archive

Joe Lavender, a West Yorkshire Police officer of 22 years, has been jailed for seven years after conviction for rape at York Crown Court.

Joe Lavender, 45, a West Yorkshire Police officer for 22 years, has been jailed for seven years for rape after being convicted by a York jury. Judge Simon Hickey handed down the sentence at York Crown Court on 3 November. Lavender showed no reaction to the sentence.

Judge Hickey said Lavender 'pinned' the victim down before raping her. 'She asked to stop and you didn't,' the judge told him, adding: 'You carried on despite her saying stop ... You ignored her wishes until you were satisfied.' The victim gave evidence twice against Lavender after a jury in the first trial had been unable to reach a verdict.

In a statement read in court, the victim said she struggled to trust people and form relationships after being raped. She said she felt guilt and shame and does not trust the police due to Lavender's role as a serving officer. 'If I had not been approached by the police, I don't feel I would have come forward and reported this crime because I didn't think I would have been believed,' she said.

Lavender will be barred from working in any policing role and faces misconduct proceedings. He has been issued a 15-year-old order prohibiting contact with the victim and must inform authorities of any new relationships he forms within seven days for the rest of his life. His defending counsel said Lavender apologised to the victim the day after the rape and had no previous convictions.

How it is being reported

• Police officer jailed for seven years for raping womanA West Yorkshire Police officer has been jailed for seven years for rape after being convicted by a York jury.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 3 Nov, 13:10
• Police officer jailed for seven years for raping womanA West Yorkshire Police officer has been jailed for seven years for rape after being convicted by a York jury.The Press (York) · 3 Nov, 13:10

In this story: Joe Lavender · West Yorkshire Police · York Crown Court · Castleford · York

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