Former Warwickshire Police officer jailed for grooming and abusing teenage girl

A FORMER Warwickshire Police officer has been jailed for seven years for historic child abuse offences involving a young girl.

David Surridge, 70, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to five counts of indecent assault against a girl when she was aged between 13-16.

The offences took place in Warwick in the 1980s when Surridge, who lived in New Green Park, Coventry, was a special constable. He later went on to become a regular officer.

An investigation by Warwickshire Police showed Surridge groomed the victim before going on to sexually abuse her.

The victim reported the offending in 2022 after watching a television programme about grooming. In a police interview, she told officers that up until that point she had blamed herself for what had happened but realised she was in fact a victim.

Investigating officer Det Con Heather Webb said: “The victim has shown great bravery in contacting police and supporting this investigation.

“This outcome shows that time is no barrier to delivering justice and I hope it gives other victims of sexual offences, no matter when they happened, the confidence to come forward. We will listen, we will investigate, and we will work to bring offenders to justice.”

Det Supt Paul Thompson added: “As a police officer Surridge should have been protecting vulnerable people, not exploiting them. I hope his victim can take some comfort from seeing him put behind bars for his crimes.”