Haider Siddique

Haider Siddique, a 23-year-old former student police officer with West Midlands Police, has been jailed for committing sex offences against a vulnerable 13-year-old girl. Siddique met the victim online and groomed her for sexual purposes under the pretence of providing support, exploiting his position of trust as a trainee officer.

The abuse came to light in March 2022 when a bus driver observed Siddique acting inappropriately towards the girl and reported the incident. At the time, Siddique was on long-term sick leave from his role, which he had begun in August 2021. He was arrested shortly after and suspended by the force. Investigations revealed the full extent of his grooming and sexual exploitation of the child.

Siddique, residing at Allwood Gardens in Bartley Green, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child in January at Birmingham Crown Court. On Friday, Judge Sarah Buckingham sentenced him to seven years and seven months in prison. He had never been deployed in an operational role and resigned in March 2022 while in custody following his arrest.

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green of West Midlands Police described the crimes as a 'sickening criminal act', stating: 'This was a sickening criminal act by a former student officer and I know his fellow officers will be repulsed by his behaviour. We did not hesitate to arrest and suspend Siddique and carried out a robust and meticulous investigation to establish the full extent of his abuse.' The force emphasised its commitment to rooting out criminality among its staff.

Lauranne Middleton, district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted the severity of the offences: 'Haider Siddique grossly abused his position of trust as a student police officer and as an adult to meet and sexually abuse a child. The overwhelming file of evidence presented to the court left Siddique with no option but to plead guilty to his appalling crimes and reflects how seriously the Crown Prosecution Service views this type of offending.'

The case underscores the betrayal of public trust by those in training for law enforcement roles, with the prosecution crediting the bus driver's vigilance for initiating the investigation that led to Siddique's conviction.