Former Lancashire detective spared jail after pursuing sexual relations with vulnerable women

A former detective constable who exploited four women has walked free from court after a judge heard no-one else could care for his one-year-old child during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Stuart Lunt, 36, of Greaves Close, Wigan, who worked as a Detective Constable in South division, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office back in February 2020.

Lunt admitted inappropriate contact with the vulnerable women who he met in the course of his duties with Lancashire Police as either complainants or witnesses.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The married father-of-two gained their trust and used it to his advantage as he attempted to engage in sexual relations with them and did so with one of his victims, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Former detective constable Stuart Lunt of Lancashire Police force leaving Liverpool Crown Court today (April 6). (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Wire)Former detective constable Stuart Lunt of Lancashire Police force leaving Liverpool Crown Court today (April 6). (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Former detective constable Stuart Lunt of Lancashire Police force leaving Liverpool Crown Court today (April 6). (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, suspended for two years, at Liverpool Crown Court today (April 6) - he must also perform 250 hours of unpaid work.

Sentencing Lunt, Judge David Aubrey QC said: "You crossed the boundaries of your duties as a police officer and did so knowingly.

"All of the women were vulnerable to exploitation and that is precisely what you did.

"I am satisfied your conduct was akin to grooming."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laura Nash, defending, asked Judge Aubrey to consider "exceptional circumstances" in suspending a custodial sentence in what she said were "exceptional times".

Miss Nash explained that Lunt's wife was a designated key worker who was employed as a deputy manager at a pre-school nursery.

The couple were still living together with their children, aged six and one, but Lunt had been staying at home with the younger child, she said.

Immediate members of the Lunt family were also unable to offer assistance during the movement restrictions because they were in the vulnerable category range, the court was told.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judge Aubrey said: "In the particular circumstances of this case, and at a time of deep concern, in the judgment of the court the balance weighs just in favour of suspending the custodial sentence."

The defendant, who was based at Chorley and joined Lancashire Police in June 2015 after 12 years of service at Greater Manchester Police, resigned from the force last week.

DCI Jane Webb said: “Firstly I would like to thank and commend the victims in this case for having the bravery to come forward and report these allegations to us. Today’s outcome would not have been possible without them.

“Police officers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour in both their public and private lives and Stuart Lunt has clearly failed to adhere to those standards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He has risked undermining the public’s confidence in the police service as a whole and the fantastic work undertaken every day by the vast majority of our staff.

“We will continue to proactively target malpractice and wrongdoing in Lancashire Constabulary, as we did with this case, to ensure that the communities we serve can have confidence and trust in us.”