'He said I'd get my babies back in return for sex'

David Gamlin was dismissed from Sussex Police in 2023

A woman said she wanted to take her own life after entering into a relationship with a former Sussex Police investigator who promised her "he would get my kids back if I did sexual stuff to him".

In June, David Gamlin, 58, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

"I couldn't say anything to anyone. I just wanted to get my babies back," said Claire, whose name has been changed.

When the BBC contacted Gamlin's solicitors they said their client would not comment on the allegations until he was sentenced.

Gamlin was sacked from Sussex Police in 2023 and the force said: "All of our officers and staff are bound by the standards of professional behaviour."

When Gamlin arrived at Claire's door after she reported being harassed by a member of the public, she was alone, isolated and vulnerable, she said.

"He said he would get my kids back if I did sexual stuff to him and I said yes," she said.

Gamlin already knew a lot about her, said Claire, including that her children were in care, but he was "more interested in talking about sex" than the crime she had reported.

'Had to keep it secret'

Claire said Gamlin "should have just done his job," but the investigator was kind and made her feel listened to.

"He even said it was wrong that they took my kids away. It was the first time I had someone to understand, but I didn't want to do all this stuff with him", she said.

The relationship continued for six months and Gamlin warned that if Claire told anyone, she would lose her children and her job, Claire said.

"I had to keep that secret for a very long time."

Gamlin is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court in October to be sentenced for misconduct.

His solicitors added: "We would not want to prejudice or compromise any ongoing proceedings.

"Furthermore, at the sentence hearing the facts will be set out from both the prosecution and the defence in an open court.

"Mr Gamlin will reconsider his position to respond after sentence."

Gamlin was sacked from Sussex Police for breaching the standards of professional behaviour, amounting to gross misconduct.

The BBC understands this followed allegations relating to having an improper relationship with Claire on and off duty.

He had worked for the force for more than nine years as a civilian crime investigator.

Sussex Police said the force deployed officers and staff "suitably qualified to deal with the investigation or incident they are being asked to attend".

They said this followed "dynamic assessment of risk to the public and the individuals attending based on the incident type and what is known about it at the time".

'I was desperate'

Claire eventually told her story to a police officer who came to see her after she attempted to take her own life.

"There was one police officer that said to me: 'What's going on, why are you here, why are you trying to kill yourself?'"

Claire said her story "just came out" and she was "mortified", thinking "I can't say anything. This is a secret. I will lose my children".

She recalled: "I felt sick, but I knew what I had to do was right, because I couldn't do this any more, I couldn't take this any more."

Claire now has custody of two of her three children.

If you have been affected by this report, you can find further support via the BBC Action Line.

Claire feels that the suicidal thoughts she experienced were a trauma response linked to her interactions with Gamlin, rather than being part of a pattern of wider mental health issues.

She does not feel West Sussex County Council listened to her when she asked to have custody of her children returned.

"Even though I've said to the local authority this is what's happened in my life, I have no mental health issues, I've never had mental health issues, I've just had suicide ideation, a trauma response, they class me as an unfit mum," she said.

West Sussex County Council said it did not comment on individual cases.

Claire says part of the reason she is speaking out is to encourage any other victims to come forward.

"Looking back now, because I'm not vulnerable anymore, I would have just told him to go. I would have called 999. I would have just got rid of him, but I was isolated I had no-one. I was desperate," she said.