A serving West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of rape at York Crown Court after a survivor came forward to report an attack committed more than two decades ago.
Police Constable Jo Lavender, 45, who was serving in the Leeds District prior to his suspension from operational duty, was convicted of one count of rape by a Crown Court jury on Monday 19 October 2026.
The prosecution outlined that the sexual offence took place in 2002. This occurred three years before Lavender successfully applied to join West Yorkshire Police in 2005.
The survivor carried the profound trauma of the attack for over 22 years before taking the brave decision to formally report the offence to law enforcement in December 2024, despite Lavender’s position as a serving police officer.
Following an independent criminal inquiry, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of rape. Lavender pleaded not guilty, forcing the victim to provide evidence during a contested trial at York Crown Court. After examining the evidence, the jury rejected Lavender’s defence and returned a guilty verdict.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “The victim has lived with the trauma of what PC Lavender did to her for two decades before coming forward to report this offence in 2024. I would like to express my admiration for the bravery she has shown. I do not underestimate the courage it takes to report something like this, and even more so knowing that by that time the man responsible was a police officer. If anyone has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence, I would urge them to please report it. Please know that we will listen and we will act, it doesn’t matter who the perpetrator is or where they may work. Following this court case, we will now continue with misconduct proceedings to ensure PC Lavender is barred from working in any role in policing in the future.”
The presiding trial judge remanded Lavender following the verdict, scheduling his sentencing hearing for 3 November 2026 at the same court.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all victims and complainants connected to sexual offence proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Lavender stood convicted of:
One count of rape
Judicial outcome and pending proceedings:
Convicted by jury trial; remanded for sentencing on 3 November 2026
Subject to mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register
Subject to internal gross misconduct hearings to secure permanent placement on the Police Barred List
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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