Russell Dew

A former Nottinghamshire Police inspector, Russell Dew, has pleaded guilty to serious sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl, marking a shocking betrayal of public trust. The 44-year-old appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, where he admitted to five counts of sexual activity with the child. The offences occurred in Newark, Nottinghamshire, between February and August 2010, during which Dew exploited his position to target and take advantage of the vulnerable victim.

According to court proceedings, the incidents involved inappropriate and exploitative behaviour, including one instance where Dew lay on the floor in handcuffs, highlighting the disturbing nature of the abuse. The girl bravely reported the sexual activity to her teacher, who promptly passed the information to the police, leading to Dew's arrest and charges. This disclosure spared the victim from having to testify in court following Dew's guilty plea.

Dew, who served as an inspector at Mansfield, resigned from Nottinghamshire Police on 18 August 2011, shortly after the charges were publicised. Chief Inspector Diane Heydon of Nottinghamshire Police expressed profound shock and condemnation, stating: "The nature of these offences goes against everything the role of a police officer stands for. Safeguarding children is a priority and yet Dew took opportunities outside work to target his victim and take advantage of her." She added that the public reaction included "disbelief and some anger as you would expect," while noting the ongoing challenges for the victim and her family.

Prior reports from BBC News detailed the unfolding case: on 31 July 2011, Dew faced child sex charges, and by 1 August 2011, he was remanded on those charges. The court informed Dew during his appearance that he should expect a prison term, with sentencing scheduled for 19 December 2011. This case underscores the critical importance of child protection measures within law enforcement and the devastating impact of such abuses on victims and communities.