In 2026, James McClements, a 35-year-old former police officer from Bridport, had his sentence increased to 15 months of immediate imprisonment after the Attorney General intervened under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
James McClements, of Bridport, West Dorset, was initially sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 16 June 2026 to eight months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months after being convicted of misconduct in a public office. The court heard that while serving as a Dorset Police officer, McClements attended the home of a domestic abuse victim following an assault by her ex-partner. He provided his personal mobile number and initiated an intimate relationship with her between December 2023 and July 2024, repeatedly pressuring her to keep their contact secret.
During one incident, the victim’s abusive ex-partner breached bail conditions by showing up at her home while McClements was present. To prevent his unauthorised presence from being discovered, McClements persuaded the victim not to report the breach of bail, thereby compromising her safety. Following a referral by the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, the Court of Appeal quashed the original suspended sentence on 29 July 2026 and imposed an immediate 15-month custodial term.
Following his conviction for gross misconduct in a public office, McClements was dismissed from the police service and added to the Police Barred List to prevent future employment in law enforcement.
He also remains subject to statutory probation supervision and public protection monitoring procedures upon his release from custody.
STILL NO IMAGE OF HIM…YAWN.
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