Paul Hinchcliffe

A former South Yorkshire Police officer, Paul Hinchcliffe, has been jailed for eight months following his conviction for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman during a night out. The incident, which occurred on 3 October 2020 at a Wetherspoons pub in Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire, involved Hinchcliffe, then 46, pulling down the victim's top and photographing her breasts while she was wearing her bra, all while making inappropriate orgasm noises. He subsequently sent the image to a colleague and later messaged the victim via WhatsApp with explicit comments and emojis.

Leeds Crown Court heard detailed accounts of the events during Hinchcliffe's trial earlier in the year. The jury learned that Hinchcliffe was part of a group of off-duty officers drinking in the afternoon when he began targeting the complainant. Judge Robin Mairs described how Hinchcliffe first took a photograph of the woman wearing her glasses and declared to the group, "I’m going to have a wank to that tonight." He then flicked beer foam at her chest, simulating semen, before committing the assault. The judge emphasised that Hinchcliffe's actions "went far beyond jokes and banter" and betrayed the trust placed in police officers.

• The victim, in her impact statement, expressed profound loss of trust: "All my trust for the police just went. He sexually assaulted me when he should've been in a role that protects people." She added that she no longer feels safe around police officers.
• Hinchcliffe resigned from South Yorkshire Police after his conviction and was training student officers at the time of the offence.
• Defence barrister Katherine Pierpoint argued for a suspended sentence, citing Hinchcliffe's 20-year career and references from colleagues, but acknowledged his drunkenness as an aggravating factor.

Judge Mairs rejected the suspension plea, stating that sexual offences by police officers, especially those recorded and shared, demand immediate custody to maintain public confidence. He noted Hinchcliffe's age and position of authority, saying, "You were in your 40s and she was an 18-year-old girl." As a result, Hinchcliffe will serve on the sex offenders register for 10 years. South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney commented on the case, affirming the force's commitment to high standards and swift action against wrongdoing, particularly in light of recent reports on police culture.

The sentencing took place on Friday, 31 March 2023, highlighting ongoing issues of misconduct within law enforcement. This case underscores the severe consequences for officers who abuse their positions, even off-duty, and the lasting impact on victims' perceptions of safety and justice.