A serving Thames Valley Police officer, Paedophile PC Luke Horner, who sexually raped a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to over six years in prison.
PC Luke Horner, a former member of Thames Valley Police, travelled over an hour from his residence to meet the girl in Northamptonshire on 11 June, when he perpetrated a severe sexual assault against her.
The 24-year-old, Luke Horner, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, documented part of the action on the girl’s mobile phone, as presented in Northampton Crown Court.
Luke Horner was sentenced to six years and four months in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to one count of engaging in penetrative sexual intercourse with a youngster aged 13 to 15.
Luke Horner was apprehended shortly after perpetrating the act in Rushden, subsequent to an inquiry conducted by Northamptonshire Police. Thames Valley Police promptly suspended him from duty.
During sentence, the court received a statement from a relative of the young girl, who expressed, “How can I sleep at night knowing what he did?” In what manner can he accomplish this? How did he report to work, don his uniform, and confront his colleagues while being aware that he had violated the law?
“I experience nausea whenever I contemplate it.”
Det Sgt Sarah Osborne of Northamptonshire Police stated: “No sentence can compensate for Luke Horner’s actions, but I hope the resolution of this case, along with his impending imprisonment, offers some measure of solace to the family of this young girl.”
“I wish to commend them for the confidence they placed in us to investigate this crime and for their unwavering support, both of which we have never taken for granted.”
She stated: “His conduct and actions contradict the principles we uphold in policing, and individuals like him are the ones we tirelessly strive to expose and eliminate permanently.”
“I trust this case exemplifies our commitment to child protection in this county, emphasising that irrespective of one’s identity, any individual who perpetrates an offence will be held accountable and incarcerated.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jen Castle, the head of child safeguarding for the force, stated: “Police officers and staff who believe they can violate the law have no place in our profession.” Ensuring legal compliance and sustaining professionalism are our foremost goals.
Luke Horner tendered his resignation from Thames Valley Police on 26 July 2023.
Thames Valley Police submitted the issue to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which determined that it warranted a local inquiry by the force. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED THEMSELVES.
A misconduct meeting occurred on 4 September 2023, at which it was determined that Horner’s conduct constituted gross misconduct.
Former PC Luke Horner would have faced dismissal had he still been in service, and he is to be added to the prohibited list, so prohibiting him from ever serving as a police officer again.
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