Greater Manchester Police officer sacked after stalking and harassment convictions involving ex-wife and her new partner
24.06.2022 - 14:05
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A Greater Manchester Police officer has been sacked after he was convicted of stalking and harassment. The offences involved PC Gareth Walker's ex-wife and her new partner after their divorce in 2019, GMP's Chief Constable said as he chaired a misconduct hearing at force HQ.
PC Walker, who was based in Rochdale, appeared before the hearing to answer allegations of gross misconduct in that his conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour contrary to police regulations.
Outlining the case, Chief Con Stephen Watson said the officer separated from his wife of 16 years in September, 2019. The following year, she made a complaint to police about his behaviour and he was subsequently charged with two offences, namely stalking and harassment in relation to her and her new partner.
Chief Con Watson said in July last year, PC Walker appeared at Preston magistrates court and after a trial in which he denied the offences, he was convicted of both counts. The hearing was told he was jailed for 24 weeks, suspended for a year, and ordered to abide by the terms of a five-year restraining order. He appealed to the Crown Court, but Chief Con Watson said the appeal was subsequently dismissed this year.
In a new published ruling, he said: "The aggrieved parties in these matters were PC Walker's former wife and her new partner. POC Walker was sentenced to a suspended sentence totalling 24 weeks, eight weeks to run concurrently, and made subject of a restraining order for five years from the date of his conviction. He was ordered to pay costs of £1,150.
"Following an appeal against conviction to the Crown Court, which was dismissed, PC Walker's suspended prison sentence was increased to two years with the remaining