PC who sexually assaulted six-year-old sacked

Dempster was convicted of sexual assault in February and will be sentenced at a later date

A “morally reprehensible” PC who sexually assaulted a six-year-old girl while on duty has been dismissed without notice at a disciplinary hearing.

Dean Dempster, 35, admitted "sexually touching" the child in Oldham in December 2023 and is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Dempster, of Langford Road, Manchester, was sacked and added to the College of Policing Barred List at a hearing on Thursday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said Dempster had committed the "most egregious breach of trust" and the case was "among the most distressing ever presented to me".

Dempster, who joined the force in 2021, admitted to the assault at Liverpool Crown Court in February.

The former response officer had been suspended since he was charged on 31 December 2023.

'Not a police officer'

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Watson said he had "no hesitation whatsoever" in dismissing Dempster.

He said the girl had been "totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts".

"It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor," he said.

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me, such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer."

A GMP representative said the force would write to the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, who serves as the region's police and crime commissioner, to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Ch Sup Mike Allen said Dempster was "not a police officer".

"He’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public," he said.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us."