A police officer has been granted bail after being convicted of misconduct for engaging in a threesome with a colleague in a patrol car. Derbyshire PC Matthew Longmate, 47, and PC Daniel Nash were involved in sexual activity with an intoxicated woman in the vehicle after she was kicked out of a nightclub in October 2015, according to Southwark Crown Court. The jury was informed that the woman had sexual intercourse with Nash while leaning into the front of the car and performing a sexual act on Longmate. Longmate was found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office by a jury at Southwark Crown Court and will be sentenced on January 15 next year. Nash had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of misconduct in public office and received a suspended jail sentence in August due to his terminal bowel cancer. He passed away one month after sentencing.PC Matthew Longmate, 47, was found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office by a jury at Southwark Crown Court yesterday. He will be sentenced on January 15. Both Longmate and Nash were in uniform on October 4, 2015 when they engaged in sexual activity with the woman, the court has told. The prosecution said the woman was ‘extremely drunk’ and ‘does not remember’ the incident, but ‘concluded she must have consented to what had taken place’. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward stated that although she is extremely embarrassed and would never have acted in this way had she been sober, she did not make any report about this at the time, but did mention her encounter to a friend. DCC Simon Blatchly yesterday said that Longmate had been found guilty of a ‘truly horrendous crime’ and that he has ‘no place in policing’. He added that as a serving police officer, Longmate took an oath to uphold the laws of this country and protect the communities from harm, particularly the most vulnerable. Blatchly also mentioned that Longmate not only failed to protect but actively sought to abuse his position while on patrol, colluding with former PC Daniel Nash. Following the guilty verdict, an accelerated hearing will take place to remove Longmate from the force. Blatchly expressed shock and anger at Longmate’s actions and emphasized that the independent investigation found no wider knowledge or offending by any other officer or staff member. He urged anyone with information about officers or staff members behaving inappropriately to come forward. Steve Noonan, the IOPC Director of Major Investigations, echoed Blatchly’s remarks, stating that Longmate and Nash abused their position as police officers, betraying the public trust. He acknowledged the difficulty faced by the woman in coming forward and thanked her for providing evidence. The court also heard that Nash used his job to pursue relationships with 13 women, targeting vulnerable individuals, including victims of domestic violence. Nash pleaded guilty to 14 counts of misconduct in public office earlier this year.A police officer named Daniel Nash, who had been a constable for 18 years in Derbyshire, was sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence in August due to his ‘ill health’. However, he died the following month. The trial and conviction of Longmate allowed for the reporting of Nash’s sentencing. Prior to his arrest, Nash was stationed at Chesterfield Police Station but resigned while under investigation. Nash had used his position as a police officer to engage in sexual relationships with vulnerable individuals, including victims, witnesses, and suspects in criminal investigations. One instance involved Nash being photographed having sex with one of his victims on a black leather lounge settee while wearing his police uniform and utility belt. The woman, who was under the influence of alcohol, claimed that a photograph was taken without her knowledge and later circulated online. The photograph, which clearly depicted sexual activity, was brought to her attention in early 2021. Although she couldn’t remember the incident, she did not deny the possibility of consenting to it. The prosecution argued that Nash had engaged in sexual activity with a vulnerable and intoxicated woman while on duty as a police officer, thus willfully misconducting himself. In April 2020, one of the women complained that Nash had contacted her via Facebook Messenger, asking if she had been in the cells that day and propositioning her for sex in exchange for £500. Nash was first arrested on November 24, 2020, and various devices were seized. Analysis of his phone revealed contact with numerous women who were not explainable by his role as a police officer. In November 2020, Nash visited a shoplifter at her home and had sex with her after exchanging texts.A prosecutor stated that a woman involved in a domestic violence case had sexual intercourse with Nash at her home while he was in uniform. The woman had him as a friend on Facebook and messaged him on Instagram recently. She claimed that Nash had attended several domestic violence incidents involving her, took statements from her, and would check on her. He gave her his personal number, making her feel safe but also obligated to answer the door because he was a uniformed police officer. The woman believed she was the only one in Nash’s life as he was not wearing a wedding ring when they had sex. Another domestic abuse victim reported that Nash asked for her mobile phone and exchanged flirtatious messages about searching her knicker drawer. When warned by a friend that Nash was married, she stopped further contact. Another victim shared that she had been abused for five years and was shocked when Nash, whom she thought was trying to help her, made advances towards her. Nash saw a mother-of-two after a child abuse complaint was made against her. A colleague of Nash heard rumors of his relationship with the woman and asked him about it, to which Nash confirmed and revealed that the sexual activity took place in his marital bed. The woman later contacted the investigation team to add that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Nash. She claimed that Nash initially suggested meeting for coffee or going to his house for breakfast. Within a week, she went to his home address, where they engaged in sexual intercourse throughout the house. Nash also exchanged messages with women on SnapChat and Facebook Messenger in an attempt to initiate relationships. One victim was repeatedly messaged until she mentioned knowing he was married. Several victim impact statements were read out, expressing a loss of trust in the police. One woman stated that she would only call the police in a matter of life or death, while another said that things would have to be really bad for her to make that call. The victims felt that Nash had destroyed their trust and appeared caring but was actually sneaky and sly.Chesterfield, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of misconduct on October 18, 2022. The court was informed that Nash, a former police officer, was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had approximately six months to live. Due to his illness, Nash attended the hearing via video link from his home. His defense lawyer, Julian King, expressed Nash’s shame, regret, and sorrow, acknowledging the damage caused to his family, friends, and profession. King also highlighted Nash’s terminal illness and the impact it would have on his young children. He argued that imprisonment would be disproportionate and stated that Nash did not use his diagnosis as an excuse.
Mr. King further argued that sending Nash to prison would deprive his children of crucial time with their father. Judge Tony Baumgartner addressed Nash, stating that he had used his position as a police officer to initiate or pursue sexual relationships with vulnerable women. The victims were often in vulnerable situations, such as being under the influence of alcohol, victims of domestic violence, or suspects under investigation. The judge emphasized Nash’s insatiable desire to take advantage of vulnerable women and the negative impact it had on them. Many of the victims felt humiliated, exploited, and degraded by Nash’s actions, and they felt betrayed by his conduct.
Judge Baumgartner also highlighted the damage Nash’s actions had on the reputation of the police force as a whole. He mentioned that Nash had used sensitive policing data to check on or contact his victims, which demonstrated a breach of trust. The judge stated that Nash’s behavior had a wider impact on the public’s perception of the police. However, he acknowledged Nash’s early guilty plea and his commendable work as a police officer, including receiving bravery commendations and a Royal Humane Society Award.
Considering Nash’s terminal illness and the limited time he had left with his family, Judge Baumgartner decided to suspend the prison sentence. He expressed pity for Nash, his wife, and children, given his prognosis. The judge emphasized the importance of justice for the victims but also mentioned the need for mercy in the pursuit of justice. As a result, Nash was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Judge Baumgartner described Nash’s case as exceptional and acknowledged the difficulty in making a judgment. PC Longmate, another individual involved in the case, was not mentioned in the article.Chesterfield was convicted of one charge of misconduct in relation to the incident in the patrol car with Nash on October 4, 2015, despite his denial. He was granted bail and will be sentenced in January.
Former PC Daniel Nash pleaded guilty to 14 counts of misconduct in public office earlier this year. He passed away a month after his sentencing. A picture of him engaged in the misconduct is included.
Deputy Chief Constable Simon Blatchly expressed his disgust at Nash’s actions, stating that as members of the police service, they promise to protect their communities, especially those who are vulnerable. However, Nash abused his position for his own sexual gain instead of fulfilling his duty to protect. Blatchly and his colleagues were sickened by Nash’s crimes.
When a report was initially received about Nash’s alleged conduct, he was suspended from duty and later arrested. An investigation was conducted, during which an initial victim led officers to a total of 14 women that Nash had encountered through his work as a police officer. Some of these women were victims of domestic abuse, while others were perpetrators of crimes. All of them were vulnerable due to various personal circumstances. The Independent Office for Police Conduct directed the investigation into Nash’s offenses, which also examined the wider policing unit he was a part of. Except for one other officer, there was no evidence to suggest that any of Nash’s colleagues knew or suspected his wrongdoing.
The court’s sentence for Nash is a matter for them to decide, but it is evident that if he had not been seriously ill, he would have served a significant prison term. Nash’s crimes are extremely serious, and in light of recent incidents within the policing community, it is understandable that there is concern. Blatchly wants to make it clear that if anyone knows of an officer or staff member who is behaving inappropriately, they should report it to the force or contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers to make an anonymous report. Nash and others like him have no place in policing, and Blatchly, along with the shocked staff and officers, will do everything possible to identify and remove anyone similar.
