A disgraced former Staffordshire Police officer, Owen Mills, faces the possibility of incarceration for engaging in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable lady. In 2023, Staffordshire Police initiated an investigation by the professional standards department and suspended Owen Mills on the revelation of the relationship.
The 22-year-old, Owen Mills, had also established a relationship with a witness.
The former police officer has been summoned to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and has confessed to two charges of the unlawful exercise of police authority.
Owen Mills, a 22-year-old former Staffordshire Police officer, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonest or illegal exercise of police powers and privileges during his appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
The Staffordshire Police have expressed approval of the guilty pleas.
Deputy Chief Constable Becky Riggs said: “Owen Mills misused his position to engage in inappropriate relationships with people he met through his work, including a vulnerable woman. This is a serious breach of trust and police values. The fact that he admitted the offences showed the strength of the evidence.
“We have done extensive training with our officers about improper and inappropriate relationships and encourage our officers and staff to report such behaviours to the professional standards department, including mechanisms to report anonymously. The large majority of our officers, staff, and volunteers are professional, dedicated individuals who act with integrity and work hard to keep their communities safe.” [APART FROM MILLS AND THE DOZENS OF OTHER OFFICERS UNDER INVESTIGATION]
Owen Mills is currently living in Cornwall. It is possible that the sentencing hearing will be held in a court outside Staffordshire.
Judge Richard McConaghy told Owen Mills: “You have entered two guilty pleas. Your case will proceed to sentence. I am going to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Cases of this sort normally involve sentences of immediate imprisonment. It will be confirmed to you in due course whether it remains in this court or whether it will be moved to another court.”
Owen Mills was bailed with conditions not to contact his victims; to live and sleep at an address in Cornwall; and not to enter Staffordshire except for court or prior arranged meetings with his solicitor.
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