West Yorkshire Police officer in the Court accused of sexual assaults

A police officer accused of raping a woman has appeared in the Court to face more positions of seven sexual assaults against a child.

PC Joe Lavender, who works for the West Yorkshire Police, appeared in the York Magistrates court on Thursday accused of five positions of rape and two positions of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years.

It is alleged that the 43 -year -old committed crimes against three girls while they were out of service. The attacks have been described as “not recent” by its employer.

He has been suspended from the service waiting for an investigation and was awarded a conditional bond to appear in York Crown Court on March 7.