Ex-police officer jailed after sentence reviewed

A former police officer, who instigated a sexual relationship with a domestic abuse victim he met on duty, has been jailed after his sentence was reviewed.

James McClements, 35, was originally given a suspended prison sentence in June after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office.

However, his case was referred to the Court of Appeal by Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The former constable, who left Dorset Police in 2025, has been jailed for 15 months.

Reeves commented: "James McClements abused the trust placed in him as a police officer, pursuing an intimate relationship with a domestic abuse victim.

"Furthermore, he pressured the victim into secrecy, when what she needed and deserved was professional support and protection.

"I welcome the Court of Appeal's decision to increase his sentence, and I hope this sends a clear message that serious misconduct will be severely punished."

The Attorney General said McClements, from Bridport, gave the woman his phone number after responding to a reported assault on her.

During the relationship in 2023 and 2024, the woman's abusive ex-partner turned up at her home in breach of his bail conditions, Reeves added.

McClements persuaded the victim not to report the incident in order to protect himself, she said.

The former officer was originally given an eight-month sentence, suspended for a year, by a judge at Bristol Crown Court.

In May, a police tribunal found McClements guilty of gross misconduct and said it would have dismissed him had he not already resigned.