Gerard Hutchings

A former Hampshire police officer, Gerard Hutchings, has been found guilty of serious sexual offences committed during his time in service. The 66-year-old, residing on Wingrove Road in Ashurst, denied 11 charges including indecent assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, but a jury at Bristol Crown Court convicted him on all counts following a two-week trial.

The offences, which took place between 1999 and 2007, involved Hutchings conducting unjustified and illegal strip searches on 18 male victims aged between 17 and 31 while they were in custody at various police stations across the New Forest and north Hampshire areas. As an inspector, Hutchings exploited his position of authority, performing these searches alone with the victims during cautions or reprimands for minor offences. In addition to the searches, he sexually assaulted some of the men during these procedures. Hutchings had already admitted to 17 counts of misconduct in a public office at an earlier hearing.

During the trial, eight victims provided evidence detailing the degrading nature of the experiences. Many reported that Hutchings justified the strip searches by claiming they were standard procedures that detainees could expect in prison. The investigation was reignited in 2020 after a report from a man who had endured a similar search in 2005. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Operation Marmion team, which specialises in non-recent sexual abuse allegations involving institutions or prominent individuals, led the probe. Officers reviewed Hutchings' police notebook against records, identifying 373 individuals who had contact with him, and personally visited them using non-leading questionnaires. This effort resulted in statements from 17 additional people via video.

This is not Hutchings' first conviction for such behaviour. In 2008, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison after admitting 11 counts of misconduct in a public office related to similar offences in 2007. He was dismissed from the force that same year following complaints and a fast-track disciplinary process. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob France commented on the verdicts, stating: "When someone comes into contact with our officers and staff, they should be treated with respect and professionalism. Hutchings’ behaviour was vile and degrading and clearly nowhere near the expectation we have of our officers." France further praised the victims' bravery and the investigators' diligence, noting that Hutchings now faces another term in prison for his actions.

Hutchings is scheduled for sentencing on all offences at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, July 24. The case was reported by the Bournemouth Echo, drawing on details from the trial and Hampshire Police statements.