Police officer jailed for raping woman

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been jailed for raping a woman before he joined the force.

PC Benjamin Bottomley, 23, was suspended from duty in Kirklees in June 2023 after the victim came forward.

Following a trial, Bottomley, of Miner's Way in Halifax, was found guilty in April of raping the woman on one occasion and then sexually assaulting her while he was a student officer.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, he was sentenced to four years in prison for rape and one year for sexual assault by penetration, the sentences to be served concurrently. The court heard he would also be put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

As both offences were reported after Bottomley joined the force, he must also face misconduct proceedings by West Yorkshire Police.

A force spokesperson said: "An accelerated misconduct hearing is due to take place next month with a view to him being added to the College of Policing's Barred list, preventing him from gaining further employment in policing."

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