Former Police officer sentenced for misconduct in public office

A former West Mercia Police officer based in Market Drayton has been sentenced to 18 months for misconduct in public office.

Nicholas Peacock, 40, who was a PC based in Market Drayton, was handed the sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court today after pleading guilty in October this year. He received 27 months, reduced to 18 months based on a one third reduction in credit for his early plea.

Between February and April 2022, he engaged in a sexual relationship with a suspect in an assault case he was investigating. He failed to investigate fully and closed the crime, saying that there were no witnesses, and that the victim didn’t support a prosecution. This was not true.

The allegations came to light on 22 April 2022 and Peacock was immediately suspended. The force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who led the investigation and referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who then made the decision to bring criminal charges against Peacock.

The case he had failed to investigate was re-opened and a suspect was charged.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones, said: “The dishonesty and lack of integrity shown by Nicholas Peacock is deplorable. He abused his power as a police officer, and in the process totally undermined the trust which the victim had placed in him to investigate the case fairly and impartially.

“I’m pleased that his offences were identified so quickly and that he was immediately suspended. His actions were totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated within our force.”

Despite having resigned from the force in March this year, he will face misconduct proceedings now criminal proceedings have concluded.