Former Warwickshire Police officer admits child sexual offences

 

A force investigation has led to a former officer admitting to indecent assault offences committed in the 1980s.

David Surridge was a special Constable at the time of the offences and later went on to become a regular officer. He appeared at Warwick Crown Court on 12 August where he pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assaults against a teenage girl when she aged between 13-16.

The victim met Surridge when she moved to a house near to him in Warwick.

The suspect began to groom her; he brought her gifts and alcohol and would take her for days out. This quickly progressed to sexual abuse.

The victim reported the offending in 2022 after watching a television programme about grooming. In interview, she told officers that up until this point she had blamed herself for what had happened but now realised she was in fact a victim.

Surridge, 70, currently of New Green Park, Coventry was bailed to appear at Warwick Crown Court for sentencing on 27 September.

Detective Constable Heather Webb, who led the investigation, said: “My thoughts are with the victim who has shown great bravery in reporting her ordeal after so much time has passed. I hope she can take some comfort from this guilty plea.

“Like many victims of grooming she blamed herself for what happened. To be clear if you are a victim of sexual abuse, you are never to blame and there are people who will listen to you and offer support.

“As soon as the offending was reported to us, we launched a thorough investigation and ensured support was put in place for the victim.”

Detective Superintendent Paul Thompson, head of professional standards at Warwickshire Police, said: “Surridge was a special constable at the time of the offending and will have been aware that what he was doing was wrong. He will now rightly face the consequences of his offending.”

For more information on reporting child sex abuse go to How to report possible child abuse | Warwickshire Police