A serving Hertfordshire Police officer has been found guilty of repeatedly raping a young girl. James Ford, 31, was convicted at Cambridge Crown Court of 10 sex offences against the same victim, spanning from late 2019 to late 2021.
The jury also found Ford guilty of perverting the course of justice by resetting his phone. Prosecutor Isobel Ascherson said Ford initially claimed the reset was accidental, but later told police he did it because he was having an affair.
Ford, formerly of Bishop's Stortford, dropped his head and cried as the verdicts were read. Mr Justice Bryan said he faces a lengthy custodial sentence and remanded him into custody. Sentencing is set for Friday.
Ford joined Hertfordshire Police in 2019 as a uniformed response officer based in the east of the county. He has been suspended since November 2021. Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said she was 'disgusted' by his actions and warned he will face a fast-track dismissal hearing.
Detective Inspector Susie Hine of Cambridgeshire Constabulary praised the 'courage and bravery of the victim and her immediate family who have acted with huge dignity throughout.' She added, 'There is no place for an offender to hide no matter who they are. In this case it was a serving police officer who now faces the custodial consequences of his appalling actions.'
