A Gloucestershire Police officer, Nicholas Henry, initiated a contact with a 15-year-old girl that subsequently escalated to a sexual nature, incorporating his “rape fantasy,” as presented at a misconduct hearing.
Detective Constable Nicholas Henry has been terminated for gross misconduct due to engaging in a relationship with a teenager while he was 24 years old.
A disciplinary hearing at Gloucestershire Police headquarters revealed that Det Con Henry encountered the girl online.
David Sapiecha, on behalf of the Appropriate Authority, asserted that the officer encountered the girl online in 2008 when she was 15 years old and then waited until she reached the age of 16 before meeting in person, leading to a sexual relationship.
The hearing included Detective Constable. Nicholas Henry acknowledged his involvement with the individual referred to as Witness A, asserting that it endured for approximately three months following her sixteenth birthday.
Mr. Sapiecha stated that an inquiry was initiated against Det Con HNicholas Henry after the complainant revealed information about the relationship to an off-duty police sergeant during a hen party in 2023, amidst a conversation concerning the murder of Sarah Everard and police misogyny.
The officer subsequently reported it to the professional standards department of Gloucestershire Police.
At the initiation of the investigation, Det Con Nicholas Henry was employed by the force’s rape and serious sexual offences unit.
Outlining the case against Det Con Nicholas Henry, Mr Sapiecha alleged the officer and the girl had shared sexually explicit images and she had appeared topless on a webcam for him.
Mr Sapiecha said “[Henry] had a rape fantasy and he encouraged her to take part in a rape fantasy”, something he denies.
Mr Sapiecha continued: “Shortly after she became 16, sexual activity took place and he was aged 25.
“Although he waited until she was 16 to have sexual intercourse, that period may well have a grooming aspect to it.
“She would have been vulnerable. Would the public consider a relationship between a 25-year-old police officer and a 16-year-old schoolgirl to be appropriate?
“It should be obvious that it would be inappropriate. In the build up to this it is likely to have an element of grooming.”
The hearing heard the relationship had ended by the time she went to university, and she only saw him again once when she was 22.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Denise Reen told the hearing: “[Witness A] made it clear she didn’t want to make a formal statement to me and didn’t want to get Det Con Nicholas Henry into trouble.
“She said they hadn’t parted on bad terms and her concern was whether he had done it to someone else.
“It was at a time involving high-profile cases and whether there had been missed opportunities and that very much played on her mind.”
Det Con Nicholas Henry was not attending the hearing and was not represented, although he had submitted a statement setting out his case and denying gross misconduct.
Mr Sapiecha said Det Con Henry maintained the relationship had started when Witness A was aged 16 and three months, and claim it lasted around three months.
“Det Con Henry says [Witness A] lied about her age to get onto the online site and says there is no evidence that she told him she was 15 at the time.
“At no point did he say that he had a rape fantasy or encourage her to take part in a role play.”
The officer also denied sharing any indecent images with Witness A.
The hearing, which was chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson, found all the allegations against Det Con Nicholas Henry proven and concluded he was guilty of gross misconduct.
Mr Mathieson said: “The offences committed were intentional and deliberate and as a police officer he held a position of trust and responsibility.
“There was sexual impropriety and an element of an abuse of a position of trust and the initiation of a sexual relationship with a vulnerable person as she was under 18 and a child.
“The conduct involved violence against women and girls – a matter of national scrutiny.
“We found culpability was high. We found malign intent and sexual misconduct, as well as attempting to blame others.”
In mitigation, Mr Mathieson said the conduct occurred 15 years ago and was not deemed criminal.
He said: “There are no reports of any further misconduct before or since.
“The panel concluded that the only possible outcome would be dismissal without notice.
“Accordingly, he will be dismissed without notice and his name should be added to the barred list.”
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