Former police officer jailed after sending sexual messages to crime victims
A former police officer has been jailed after sending inappropriate sexual messages to victims of crime.
Jatinder Bunger, 38, previously a detective constable with Lancashire Constabulary, was sentenced to ten months in prison at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (May 10) after pleading guilty to five charges of misconduct in public office at an earlier hearing, a spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The IOPC investigated Bunger’s contact with five women following a complaint from one of them, which was referred by the force.
Two women provided evidence of Bunger sending inappropriate sexual messages after they had reported being victims of crime, the IOPC said, with one saying he made unnecessary visits to her home.
The spokesperson added: “During our investigation, we found personal and intimate images on Mr Bunger’s personal mobile phone which he took from devices provided to the police by two victims of crime. Mr Bunger had examined their devices in the course of his policing duties.”
Investigators also found inappropriate photos of a woman taken without her knowledge on his phone.
IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: “Jatinder Bunger took advantage of women he knew to be in vulnerable positions as victims of crime and violated the privacy of others without their consent or knowledge.
“His actions were completely unacceptable and although he may have since left the force, today’s verdict ensures he is held fully accountable for his actions.
“This sentence reflects the severity of his offences and should reassure the public that where police corruption is identified it will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with robustly.”
Disciplinary proceedings are expected to follow for Bunger, who is understood to have resigned from the force shortly before an earlier court hearing.
