Ex-Berkshire police sergeant sentenced for sexual assaults

Luke Winton was based at Loddon Valley police station

A former police sergeant has been given a suspended jail sentence for six sexual assaults.

Luke Winton, formerly based at Loddon Valley police station in Earley, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to five attacks on women and one on a man.

The 29-year-old, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was given a 36-week suspended sentence by High Wycombe magistrates.

Thames Valley Police said Winton had left the force and was barred from policing following an internal hearing.

In a statement, the force said: "On the evening of 10 December 2022, Winton sexually assaulted a number of people known to him while off-duty by touching them inappropriately over their clothing.

"An accelerated gross misconduct hearing was held on 10 January this year.

"The chief constable found Winton would have been dismissed from the force had he still been serving and he was placed on the College of Policing's barred list."

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: "As a serving police officer at the time, former sergeant Luke Winton's behaviour was utterly unacceptable.

"We take such offending extremely seriously and have done everything we can to support the victims and bring Winton to justice."

Winton's sentence was suspended for two years and he was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

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