UK Cop Resigns For Having Sex With Sexual Abuse Victim She Was Assigned To Help

North Wales, UK – A 44-year-old, 18-year veteran of the North Wales police force resigned just before she was scheduled to have a misconduct hearing for having sex with a sexual abuse victim she was assigned to help.

North Wales Officer Andrea Griffiths was assigned to act as her police department’s liaison in 2015 for a “vulnerable” man who was a victim of historic sexual abuse, Metro reported.

Officer Griffiths was accused of having sex with the man both on and off-duty while he was under her care, but she denied that allegation and said she only had sex with him once, The Daily Mail reported.

She released a statement the morning she was due to appear before a panel to review the allegations of misconduct.

“I accept gross misconduct and deeply regret that it happened,” Officer Griffiths’ statement read. “To avoid further embarrassment to everyone I have resigned forthwith from North Wales Police.”

The hearing went forward despite the officer’s resignation, The Daily Mail reported.

“She developed an inappropriate personal relationship with a vulnerable male who she was responsible for in 2015,” North Wales Police Officer Amy Clarke told the panel. “Miss Griffiths was tasked with being liaison officer and engaged in sexual activity with him. She agreed further that sexual activity happened on duty.”

No information was available about the victim’s condition after his assignations with Officer Griffiths, The Daily Mail reported.

Susan Davies, chair of the misconduct hearing, said that both parties consented to the sex.

But by having sex with a man whom she was supposed to be helping, Davies said that Officer Griffiths “breached standards of honesty and integrity,” according to Metro.

North Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Richard Debicki apologized to the victim after the misconduct hearing.

The deputy chief constable said the victim was “badly let down by the person who was entrusted to support him. Society puts great faith in police officers to work with members of the public, often when they are at their most vulnerable.”

“The majority of our officers do a fantastic job of supporting those in need of help and in doing so always strive to retain the trust and confidence of the public,” he said.

Griffiths had been on the police force since 2001, according to Metro.