Sex beast ex-cop jailed for abusing schoolgirl

David Surridge, now 70, sexually abused the girl when she was aged between 13 and 16 during the 1980s

A former Warwickshire Police officer has been jailed after admitting historic child sex offences. David Surridge, 70, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault against a girl when she was aged between 13 and 16.

The offences took place in Warwick in the 1980s when Surridge was a special constable. He later became a regular officer. 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 interview, she told officers she had originally blamed herself for what had happened.

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Surridge, of New Green Park, Coventry, was sentenced at at Warwick Crown Court. Investigating officer, Det Con Heather Webb, of Warwickshire Police, said: "The victim has shown great bravery in contacting police and supporting this investigation.

"This outcome shows 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.”