Oldham PC who sexually assaulted child on duty sacked

Greater Manchester Police have dismissed PC Dean Dempster for gross misconduct following an accelerated hearing at the force's headquarters today.

The 35-year-old was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl while responding to an incident on December 29, last year.

The force received a complaint later that day and he was arrested by a supervisor on the district when he returned to duty the day after.

Dempster admitted the offence at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this year and remains in custody ahead of a future court date.

The former response officer, who was based out of GMP's Oldham district, has been dismissed without notice, and added to the College of Policing Barred List by Chief Constable Stephen Watson - who described Dempster’s actions as “morally reprehensible”.

Chief Constable Steve Watson said: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts.

Court sketch of PC Dean Dempster (Image: Elizabeth Cook via PA)

“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor. 

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer."

He added: “I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”

Officers have written to Kate Green, the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.

"This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain."