A former Surrey Police officer had an "inappropriate sexual relationship" with a survivor of domestic abuse while he was working on their case.

Former sergeant Stephen Kirkpatrick, 36, appeared at Guilford Crown Court on Monday (May 24) and pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.

His behaviour was described by a senior police officer on the county force as "utterly appalling" in a statement released after his guilty plea was announced.

Kirkpatrick was formerly based at the Guildford Police station but resigned from the force in September 2020.

He was charged following an allegation that he had an "inappropriate sexual relationship with a victim of domestic abuse, when he was the officer responsible for investigating the case". 

His guilty plea followed an extensive, seven-month investigation that was led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 

It began after the IOPC provided evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The IOPC said that the CPS initially decided not to authorise charges but that this was successfully appealed by the complainant through the Victim’s Right to Review (VRR) process in March this year. 

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said:

"Cases where officers abuse their position for sexual purposes are among the serious examples of corruption we investigate.

"The public has a right to expect police officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism – and that those who fail to do this will be investigated and dealt with robustly.

"Now former PS Kirkpatrick has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office he is paying the price and has a criminal record alongside his name." 

Surrey Police's Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alison Barlow added: "An officer engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a victim of domestic abuse is utterly appalling and a complete breach of the trust that the public rightly places in police officers.

"If officers breach that trust, then they will be investigated and will have to face the consequences of their actions.

"Cases such as this have the ability to really undermine public confidence but his actions do not reflect the hard work that officers and staff in Surrey Police do every day in protecting those who need us, particularly those who are vulnerable.

"Kirkpatrick has pleaded guilty to the offence he was charged with and will face gross misconduct proceedings once he has been sentenced."

Kirkpatrick will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on July 15.

Internal misconduct proceedings against Kirkpatrick will meanwhile take place once he has been sentenced, Surrey Police said.