WYP sergeant guilty of rape
A West Yorkshire Police sergeant has today (March 4) been found guilty of raping a woman at a mutual friend’s house after they had been out drinking together.
Ben Lister, 36, had denied raping the woman over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2016.
Lister claimed that the victim consented to sexual intercourse, but he was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration by a jury at Bradford Crown Court and sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
As a result of the rape, the victim became pregnant, but Lister told the court he was unaware that he had fathered the woman’s child.
Pauline McCullagh from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This woman was raped, and as a result, she became pregnant with her attacker’s child.
“The offence of rape has profound effects on victims. Although he was not on duty when he committed this terrible crime, Lister was still a serving police officer, charged with upholding the law and protecting the public. Our thoughts remain with the victim, as they have been throughout.”
Lister previously stood trial last year but the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
The offences were reported to the force in 2020. Lister, who has served with West Yorkshire Police since 2007, has been suspended since he was charged with the offences in December 2020.
Detective Superintendent Mark Long of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate said: “I would like to praise the bravery and courage of the victim who came forward in this case. I hope this conviction demonstrates that no one is above the law.
“I would encourage anyone who has any similar concerns to come forward and report them, they can have the confidence that we will investigate and will take action.
“I have no doubt that the serious criminal behaviour of one of our officers will leave colleagues as horrified as I am.”
He added: “West Yorkshire Police expects the highest standards of conduct and behaviour from its officers, whether they are on or off duty. This officer’s actions fell far below those standards.
“It is a privilege to work for West Yorkshire Police and the vast majority of police officers, PCSOs and police staff recognise this.
“They work tirelessly to protect and serve the communities of this county and to safeguard vulnerable victims. We have all been let down by this officer.
“He still faces a misconduct case and we will be taking action to ensure our procedures will be concluded at the earliest opportunity.”
