Female police officer, 44, who quit when she had sex on duty with abuse victim launches appeal  

A shamed police officer who was forced to quit her job after having sex with an abuse victim while on duty is launching an appeal against the bosses who sacked her. 

PC Andrea Griffiths, 44, was set to face a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct after she was found to be having a sexual relationship with a ‘vulnerable’ man she was supposed to be looking after in 2015.

The force said she would have been sacked if she had not quit her job and put her on a list of banned officers.

But the ex-cop is now appealing the decision against her ban after winning a case for having the hearing held ‘behind closed doors’.

A panel heard PC Griffiths began a relationship with the man who was a victim of a sexual offences and was deemed ‘vulnerable’.

She was accused of having sex with him both on and off-duty, but PC Griffiths said she only had sex with the man – known as Mr X – once.

North Wales Police presenting officer Amy Clarke said: ‘She developed an inappropriate personal relationship with a vulnerable male who she was responsible for in 2015.

‘Miss Griffiths was tasked with being liaison officer and engaged in sexual activity with him. She agreed further that sexual activity happened on duty.’

Miss Clarke said PC Griffiths joined the police in 2001 and was managing the man because he was an alleged victim of historic sexual offences.

PC Griffiths admitted gross misconduct at the hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

A statement from PC Griffiths at the time said: ‘I recognise I shouldn’t have had sexual contact with Mr X on June 29, 2015. I accept gross misconduct and deeply regret that it happened.

‘To avoid further embarrassment to everyone I have resigned forthwith from North Wales Police.’

PC Griffiths was accused of having an ‘inappropriate association’ with the man which later ‘developed into an inappropriate sexual liaison both on and off duty’.

PC Griffiths admitted gross misconduct at the hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay (pictured)

The professional standards hearing was told she had ‘fallen below professional standards of integrity, authority and courtesy’ and shown ‘discreditable conduct’.

Panel chair Susan Davies said: ‘PC Griffiths knew of Mr X’s personal and medical issues while she took part in that sexual activity, whilst on duty.

‘She breached standards of honesty and integrity, specifically integrity. She behaved in way that was discreditable to North Wales Police.

‘We found that conduct so serious that dismissal would be justified and therefore amounts to gross misconduct.’

The former PC is now fighting a ruling that had she had not resigned, she would have been sacked.  

A tribunal hearing has started with the press and public excluded at the North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay. 

PC Griffiths’ lawyer asked for the appeal hearing to be held in private. The request was granted ahead of what is scheduled to be a three-day hearing.

Chairman of the panel Michael Caplan KC said: ‘We have considered relevant medical evidence and have decided after careful consideration for the hearing to be in private. In due course our decision, but not necessarily all the reasons, will be given in public.’