A former Surrey Police officer who exploited a vulnerable victim of crime has narrowly avoided prison after admitting to misconduct in a public office, in what the sentencing judge described as a “betrayal of trust and expectation of the police.”

Ross Martin, 35, a now-former Police Constable, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today, where he was sentenced to a two-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also given a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and fined £250.

The misconduct offence stems from January 2024, during which Martin engaged in inappropriate contact with a vulnerable crime victim, including multiple sexual messages and phone calls over a two-week period. The judge said Martin had taken advantage of the victim’s vulnerabilities, while on duty and in a position of public trust.

In sentencing, Judge Dugdale said:

“Your behaviour was unprofessional and exploitative. You should have supported the victim as a professional — in the way that the public rightly expect of police officers.”

The court was told that Martin resigned from Surrey Police on 25 February, just days before an accelerated gross misconduct hearing on 28 February. That hearing concluded that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, violating the Standards of Professional Behaviour, particularly in relation to discreditable conduct.

Had Martin still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed without notice, and he has now been placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from holding any policing role in the future.

Police Response

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector James Ansell from Surrey Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit said:

“Criminal offences committed by our officers and staff simply cannot be condoned. Allegations of this nature are always subject to thorough investigation.

We recognise the damage this case does to public trust, especially in a climate where the standards of policing are under intense scrutiny. Thankfully, the vast majority of our officers serve with integrity and a genuine commitment to protecting the public.”

Surrey Police reiterated its ongoing commitment to rooting out misconduct and rebuilding community confidence in its workforce.