A POLICE constable has been charged with raping and molesting a child under the age of 13 in a string of "deeply concerning" alleged sex offences.
James Ford, 30, who has only served for two years in Hertfordshire Constabulary, was charged with a "number of serious child sexual abuse offences" following an investigation by a neighbouring police force.
1
James Ford, 30, was arrested following an investigation by police in Cambridgeshire Credit: Alamy
Ford appeared in court in Peterborough today and was released on bail to appear before a judge at Cambridge Crown Court later this month.
The serving police officer was arrested following an investigation by cops in Cambridgeshire.
He was charged with assault of a girl under 13 by touching, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, two charges of rape of a girl aged under 13, and perverting the course of justice, cops said.
Ford has been suspended from the force since late October, police said.
In a statement, Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "A serving Hertfordshire police officer has appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court today charged with a number of serious child sexual abuse offences.
"James Ford, aged 30 years, who is an intervention officer based in East Herts, was released on bail until Friday, November 29 when he is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing.
Most read in News
HIGH ALERT Another attack 'highly likely' as terror threat level RAISED to severe
WHALE OF RAGE Moment depressed SeaWorld killer whale Kasatka ‘tries to DROWN her trainer’
SCHOOL HORROR Kids rushed to hospital after posh ￡4,900-a-term school ceiling COLLAPSES
Latest
BOMBER ORIGINS Liverpool terrorist 'from Middle East and unknown to MI5' had homemade bomb
terror BLAST horror Moment cab blows apart seconds after driving up to Liverpool hospital
'FREEZING' Council home so cold kids share bed to stay warm & dad blasts 'it's like a shed'
"He has been suspended since Friday, October 22 and has just under two years’ service with the force."
Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson said: “I am deeply concerned that a serving Hertfordshire officer has been charged with such serious offences.
“I also fully recognise that members of the public will also be concerned by this news.
"However we now need to let criminal proceedings take place and avoid any speculation that could impede the case as it progresses through the court system."
It comes after figures revealed at least 26 colleagues of evil cop Wayne Couzens have committed sex crimes in the last five years.
Two of the sick Met Police officers were jailed for their crimes in April - a month after Couzens, 48, abducted, raped and killed Sarah Everard.
Five officers allegedly carried out sex offences while on duty since 2010, and one was recruited last year despite a conviction for indecent exposure.
The offences included rape, possessing indecent images of children, and voyeurism.
As well as Couzens, Detective Constable Mark Collins, 58, was jailed for 26 months in April for sending "highly sexualised" messages to what he thought was a girl aged 13.
In the same month, Detective Constable Paul Allgood, 60, was jailed for 22 months for three counts of possessing indecent images of children and three of outraging public decency.
Couzens is serving a whole life order for the murder of Sarah who he lured from the streets of south London in March.
More to follow...
For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online.
Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.