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West Yorkshire Police officer jailed for 2002 rape

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:41 · Archive

PC Joe Lavender has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a woman in 2002.

PC Joe Lavender of West Yorkshire Police has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a woman in 2002. The 45-year-old from Castleford was found guilty following a retrial in October and sentenced at York Crown Court on Tuesday. He was also given a 15-year sexual harm prevention order.

Lavender had been in a brief relationship with the woman when the assault occurred. The court heard that during consensual sexual activity at his home, he pinned her down and raped her despite her cries to stop. She was left bleeding and in pain but did not report the incident for more than 20 years.

The woman reported the rape in 2024 after being approached by officers. In a victim impact statement, she said the attack had a massive impact on her self-worth, leaving her isolated and unable to trust people or the police. She said she would not have come forward if not approached, as she feared not being believed.

Lavender joined the police as a staff member in 2002 and became a police officer in 2005. He was suspended from West Yorkshire Police and now faces a misconduct hearing that could result in his removal from the force.

West Yorkshire Police officer jailed for 2002 rape
Image: Telegraph & Argus

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How it is being reported

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

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 · Corrections log