Cleveland Police PC denies being a 'predatory groomer'

PC Faulkner appeared in Channel 5's Police Interceptors

A police officer who featured in a TV show has denied being a "predatory groomer" after he had an affair with a "vulnerable" colleague.

PC Paul Faulkner, nicknamed Mustard on Channel 5's Police Interceptors, faces the sack from Cleveland Police for gross misconduct.

The married officer was the woman's Police Federation representative when the relationship began in 2019.

Appearing before a misconduct panel, he denied he had "targeted" his colleague.

He met the female officer, known as "Officer A" while she was under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and he was supporting her in his Police Federation role.

The IOPC inquiry had caused a "significant adverse effect" on her mental health and wellbeing, Cleveland Police said.

PC Faulkner pictured on the programme in 2016

During the hearing in Thornaby, Michael Rawlinson, acting for PC Faulkner, asked if he had acted as a ''predatory groomer who'd targeted the officer".

PC Faulkner, who was in the TV show from 2015 to 2018, replied: ''That was absolutely not the case. We had an instant connection and struck it off straightway. We had a very intense relationship.''

He told the panel they had "wanted to spend the rest of our lives together'' and he thought they were both "equally vulnerable and found solace in that".

'Deny until we die'

His marriage had been falling apart and he was being "victimised and bullied" by senior police leaders, he said.

PC Faulkner admits having a sexual relationship with Officer A from 2019 until 2021.

However, he denied the claim that he told her to lie about their affair if she was asked, because he would get into trouble.

PC Faulkner said he lied about the affair to the Police Federation

He told the panel the couple had "mutually agreed" not to say anything and it was Officer A who had said "we should deny it until we die".

PC Faulkner admitted he lied about the relationship to the Police Federation - which represents rank and file police officers - because he feared his private information would be leaked and colleagues across the force would find out.

He said that looking back he made bad decisions and should have confessed to it.

"I know I have made a mistake. I should have been more honest and I regret that," he told the hearing.

"I feel extremely remorseful and I have let myself down and my colleagues down."

PC Faulkner is accused of breaching professional standards relating to discreditable conduct, "authority, respect and courtesy" as well as honesty and integrity.

The hearing is expected to continue on Thursday.