A Greater Manchester Police Sergeant who bombarded a junior colleague with sexual and abusive comments has been demoted in the force
A misconduct hearing heard how back inMay 2023 Sgt Gareth Higginbottom and PC A had a consensual sexual encounter.
Following the sexual encounter,he asked
PC A not to disclose their encounter to anyone because he was about to be promoted
as a Sergeant and would become her direct supervisor.
PC A agreed to Higginbottom’s request as she did not wish to continue in a relationship because it would prove too awkward to continue in the circumstances.
Three months later the two along with other colleagues attended a social event.
By this time,he was one of PC A’s direct supervisors.
At the end of the evening, the two went to a nearby McDonalds restaurant to eat. On route, to the restaurant PC A asked Higginyif he had ever disclosed their sexual encounter with anyone to which he responded,
“why would I tell someone that I slept
with someone and then they fucked me off the next day.”
PC A felt unwell and decided to go home instead of heading to the restaurant and informed him that she had decided to go home and he asked,
“why don’t you come back to my
house and I will drop you home tomorrow.She declined the offer and travelled home as
intended.
In the early hours of the following morning she checked her mobile phone and noticed that she had received messages from GH on iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and two missed calls.
In particular,she received a message from GH which read as follows:
“Slagggggg. Upset because what you wanted went home. Can’t be arsed with you mate.
Feel like such a fucking mug, wanting to make amends so you can crack on with other
people. Mithered about what other supervision thing, only yourself to blame. You’re
actually angin mate.Don’t rely, can’t be dealing with skets.
He also sent her several other messages on various platforms (namely, Facebook message
and WhatsApp) in a similar vein.
The disciplinary hearing spared Higginbottom the sack after hearing he was sorry for his conduct, instead demoting him back down to constable.
