Police officer with ‘disturbing interest in abhorrent sexual acts’ who raped and sexually assaulted women as they slept is jailed for 17 years by Shrewsbury judge
A student police officer who raped a woman as she slept and sexually assaulted another, has been jailed for 17 years by a judge in Shrewsbury.
Craig Winston was a serving probationary PC with Gloucestershire Constabulary when allegations of his offences emerged in 2022. The force immediately suspended the 36-year-old, who later resigned from the force in February 2023 - but denied any wrongdoing.
However, a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court on December 17 last year convicted the Forest of Dean police officer of a number of offences against one woman – including two counts of rape, and one count of causing a female to engage in sexual activity – and one count of sexual assault by penetration relating to another woman.
The offences took place in Gloucestershire while Winston was a probationary police officer.
The jury was told that Winston, who was off-duty at the time, made some of his attacks on his victims when they were either sleeping or when he thought they were asleep.
He was ordered to appear before Judge Anthony Lowe on Friday at Shrewsbury Crown court, for sentence.
Judge Lowe told the court that "even the most scrupulous vetting" of Winston by Gloucestershire Constabulary would not brought his offending to light as no allegations had been against him made ahead of him joining the force.
But he did describe Winston's offending as a "breach of trust", and jailed him for 17 years, saying: "To reflect the seriousness of the offending and the impact on the victims the total sentence is one of 17 years."
He told Winston he would have to serve at least two thirds of that sentence before he was released on licence.
'A disturbing interest in abhorrent sexual acts'
Following Winston's conviction, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ed Garlick of Gloucestershire Constabulary said Winston had “a disturbing interest in abhorrent sexual acts“.
“Craig Winston committed reprehensible acts against two women, some when they were either sleeping or when he believed they were sleeping,” he said. “An examination of his electronic devices uncovered a disturbing interest in abhorrent sexual acts and sickeningly, he coerced and manipulated one of his victims to take part in some of these acts.
“Both victims should be commended for their courage in coming forward to report these matters against a serving police officer.
“They have continued to show incredible patience and bravery, working with us throughout and both attending court to give their evidence in front of the jury.
“I would also like to thank the various witnesses who gave evidence, many of whom came from all over the country to do so.”
At the time the allegations were made against Winston, who was still in his probationary period having joined the Constabulary in January 2022, the force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the IOPC returned it to the force to investigate.
The case was then investigated by Gloucestershire Police's Criminal Investigation Department with charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.
'Deeply shocked'
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint added: “I am deeply shocked at the heinous crimes committed by Craig Winston while he was a serving police officer.
“The courage his victims have demonstrated over the past two years is commendable and I’d like to thank them for their assistance in helping us hold him accountable.
“There is absolutely no place in policing for someone like him and we will now begin misconduct proceedings against him to ensure his name is placed on the police barred list.
“I hope this case reassures the public we will not hesitate to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing by our officers and staff and bring them to justice.”
First Light provides support for all victims and survivors of sexual violence, for more information visit: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/
