West Yorkshire Police Officer Jailed Four Years for Off-Duty Rape, Sexual Assault

PC Ben Bottomley, a West Yorkshire Police officer based in Kirklees District, was sentenced to four years in prison for rape and one year for sexual assault by penetration, with the sentences to be served concurrently. The offences occurred before he joined the police force, including one committed while he was a student officer, and were reported only after he became a serving officer. Following an investigation by West Yorkshire Police's Professional Standards Directorate, Bottomley was immediately suspended when the inquiry began in June 2023. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and faces a forthcoming misconduct hearing aimed at barring him from any future policing roles. Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the victim's courage in reporting, affirming the police commitment to protecting women from violence regardless of the offender's occupation. The case highlights the police force's stance on taking action against sexual offences even when committed by its own members.