Cheshire police officer who had sex with woman after 999 call claimed he was 'powerless'

A police officer who had sex with a woman after responding to a 999 call claimed he was “powerless”. Jordan Masterson, 28, was a probationary police constable, stationed in Widnes, Cheshire, when he was called to the home of the woman, referred to in court as female G, in the early hours of December 28 2021.

The woman had been drinking alcohol and was “emotional” after reporting a disturbance, Chester Crown Court heard. Masterson turned his bodyworn camera off about 15 minutes into his visit to her home and consensual sexual intercourse followed while the woman’s children were asleep in the house.

The defendant was arrested after a complaint was made and he told detectives that it was the woman who instigated physical contact and he was unable to react. He claimed the woman pulled him on top of her onto the sofa as he told his trial: “I just remember being confused, feeling completely numb like I was glued to the floor.”

However, a jury in February unanimously convicted him of misconduct in a public office and jailed him for three and a half years. Sentencing on Friday, Judge Michael Leeming told Masterson: “Your behaviour over the course of this night and your dealings with the victim amounted to a gross breach of trust. The public is entitled to expect their police officers to act with the utmost integrity.

“Female G needed your help. Instead you took advantage of her to satisfy your own sexual needs. You see yourself as the victim and you blame her for ruining your career. I reject those assertions. You told the jury that it was your dream since being a teenager to join the police. You have now lost that career and you only have yourself to blame for that.”

Masterson, of Townsend Avenue, Liverpool, resigned from Cheshire Constabulary in the summer of 2022 after almost two years of service. An accelerated misconduct hearing was held by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) before the criminal proceedings and gross misconduct was found proven.

Masterson, who would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned, was placed on the barred list, meaning he cannot be employed in policing in the future. Female G, who could not attend the sentencing, said the incident was “beyond traumatic” and she was no longer the person she was. She added: “I have zero trust in the police and figures of authority.”

Vanessa Thomson, defending, said her client’s mental health had deteriorated since his arrest and that a medical report had stated in December 2021 he was likely suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from childhood trauma.

Masterson has since been diagnosed with “complex PTSD”, the court was told. The defendant’s partner and her family continue to support him, Miss Thomson added. Masterson was also handed an indefinite restraining order from contacting female G.

Commenting on Masterson’s conviction in February, Cheshire Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Chris Armitt said: “I welcome the outcome of this case and hope the verdict reached today will provide some reassurance to the woman in this case and the wider public.

“As soon as we became aware of the allegations, we acted swiftly to arrest Masterson and he was immediately suspended from duty. During the investigation, it became clear that Masterson had taken advantage of a vulnerable victim of crime.

“Not only that, but he also purposefully turned off his body camera and destroyed evidence to hide his offending. Thankfully, he has now been held accountable for his actions.”