Former PC, Dean Dempster sentenced for sexually assaulting six-year-old girl.
A former police officer has been sentenced to nine years for child sex offences.
Dean Dempster, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault of a child under 13, six counts of making indecent images of children, and two counts of misconduct in public office.
The offences took place in December 2023 while Dempster was a response officer for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) based in Oldham. He was responding to a domestic disturbance involving an adult and children. It was when taking an account from the 6-year-old girl, away from his colleagues, that he sexually abused her.
Dempster was arrested following a formal complaint the next day and subsequently dismissed from the force.
During a search of his home, investigators uncovered a collection of indecent images of children, including many that had been manipulated to depict him with the children. These images were classified as category A, B, and C, with category A being the most severe. Examination of his devices suggested that he had been downloading indecent images of children from 15 December 2021 to 29 December 2023. Images of children, taken from his body-worn video camera from the December 2023 incident and another incident in 2022 were also found on his mobile phone.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), an independent body that oversees the conduct of police, held an accelerated misconduct hearing in May 2024 resulting in his dismissal by GMP.
It was found by the IOPC that Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct. The Chief Constable Stephen Watson, said: “It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is the most upsetting aspect of this case.”
The prosecution followed after the investigation by the IOPC. At Liverpool Crown Court, Dempster was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
As well as seeking justice through the criminal process, survivors can also pursue compensation through the civil process for the harm caused to them by the abuse. Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve.
Anyone affected by the issues raised in this blog can contact me directly for free, no-obligation advice about their rights.
