Ex-Surrey policeman found guilty of rape while on duty

Derek Winston Seekings, 66, was found guilty of two counts of rape between 1994 and 2000 following a four-day trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

Seekings, who was still serving as an officer when the rapes occurred before retiring in 2005, will be sentenced on Wednesday (January 13).

One of the offences took place during his meal break while he was on duty, with the other taking place off duty.

Former Surrey officer Derek Seekings, 66, of Southern Way, Farnborough, found guilty of 2 counts of rape 1994-2000 following 4-day trial. Seekings, who retired in 2005, was charged w/offences against 1 woman in July 2019. He will be sentenced 13/1https://t.co/fqQfskb4oS pic.twitter.com/kJccRVSDJ5

— Surrey Police (@SurreyPolice) January 8, 2021

Detective Constable Becky Thomson, who investigated the case, described the former Surrey policeman as a "controlling sexual perpetrator who wouldn’t take no for an answer, and subjected his victim to sexual abuse over a six year period.

"Understandably, she has been left extremely traumatised by the ordeal she has suffered and I want to commend her for her bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court.

"I hope that the fact Seekings has been found guilty today will give her some closure and help her move on with her life," she said.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alison Barlow meanwhile addressed the impact of the case on Surrey Police force itself.

While Seekings left Surrey Police some 12 years ago, the offences, she pointed out, were committed "while he was still a serving police officer."

ACC Barlow continued: "We expect extremely high standards of behaviour from our officers and staff, standards which Seekings fell woefully below – his behaviour was simply reprehensible.

"A thorough and robust investigation was carried out as soon as we became aware of the allegations against him and we will always fully investigate any complaints if they are made against our staff, whether retired or serving," she said.

As the Surrey Comet reported previously, Surrey Police were forced to admit failures last month after a landmark case brought by a woman's advocacy group found they had known that officers on the force were perpetrating domestic abuse and had not always taken appropriate action against them.