Dominic Liversedge

Dominic Liversedge, a 27-year-old police sergeant based at Parkside police station in Cambridge, has been sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for sexually abusing a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The case, heard at Luton Crown Court, came to light after Liversedge pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual activity with a child.

The court was told that Liversedge first met the victim in January 2008 while participating in an amateur dramatics production of Oklahoma! in Cambridgeshire. During this time, he befriended the girl's family, which allowed him to gain their trust and access to the young schoolgirl. As a serving officer with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Liversedge's position of authority and the context of the community theatre group facilitated the grooming process leading to the sexual abuse.

Following his guilty plea, Liversedge resigned from the police force prior to sentencing. The judge at Luton Crown Court imposed the 12-month custodial sentence on 25 July 2008, reflecting the seriousness of the offence involving a minor. Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed his resignation, and the case underscores the breach of trust by a law enforcement officer. No further details on the specifics of the abuse were publicly disclosed in court proceedings to protect the victim's identity.

Source: BBC News, 25 July 2008. The prosecuting authority was Cambridgeshire Constabulary, responsible for policing the area where the offences occurred.