Nicholas Peacock, a West Mercia police officer, has been incarcerated for halting an assault investigation involving a sex worker with whom he engaged in sexual relations.
Nicholas Peacock, 40, a former police officer, was jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting to one count of misconduct in a public office.
Daniel Oscroft, for the prosecution, said the court that Nicholas Peacock was assigned to investigate an attack perpetrated by a woman in February 2022.
An impartial observer contacted emergency services to report that the woman from Whitchurch had struck another female in the face, yanked her hair, and hurled her phone to the ground.
The court was informed that Nicholas Peacock was designated to investigate the matter, with the suspect identified by police intelligence as a sex worker and drug addict.
Mr. Oscroft stated that Nicholas Peacock, residing on Victoria Road in Market Drayton, subsequently concluded the inquiry, citing the absence of witnesses and CCTV footage of the assault.
He told a superior that the victim had not replied to attempts to interview her, and that the witness was not prepared to provide a statement – neither were true.
Mr Oscroft said that Nicholas Peacock’s lies began to unravel when the alleged attacker was then arrested on an unrelated matter in April.
When police downloaded the contents of her phone they found a contact called ‘Police Nick’ – with messages between the two having what was described as a ‘sexual undertone’.
It is believed that this was not new behaviour for Nicholas Peacock and there were many previous victims.
Nicholas Peacock admitted misconduct in public office in October. The former PC, based in Market Drayton, was jailed for 27 months. This was reduced to 18 months in prison due to his early guilty plea following the hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court today, Tuesday, December 10.
Nicholas Peacock had resigned from the force in March 2024. Despite this, he will face misconduct proceedings now criminal proceedings have concluded. The case he failed to investigate was re-opened and a suspect was charged.
Speaking after the case today, temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones, said: “The dishonesty and lack of integrity shown by Nicholas Peacock is deplorable. He abused his power as a police officer, and in the process totally undermined the trust which the victim had placed in him to investigate the case fairly and impartially.
“I’m pleased that his offences were identified so quickly and that he was immediately suspended. His actions were totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated within our force.”
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