Police officer pleads guilty to sex offences

A police officer based in Harborough has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a series of sexual offences which took place between five and 10 years ago.

Ryan Freestone, 24, appeared at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) and was given a 12-month community order for three counts of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13, causing a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was also given a residency restriction, to remain at his home address for three months. He will be placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for five years.

Leicestershire Police received a report on September 24, 2015 of sexual offences which took place between 2006 and 2007, prior to Freestone’s appointment as a police officer.

Freestone was suspended from duties the next day and remains suspended pending the outcome of a misconduct hearing at a later date.

Superintendent Martyn Ball from the force’s Professional Standards Department, said: “The conduct and integrity of our officers is paramount and we will take the appropriate action against those who commit offences or breach the expected standards of the force.”