A former officer has been charged with non-recent misconduct and sexual offences, following an investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team.

Gerard Hutchings, 64, of Wingrove Road, Ashurst, was charged on Wednesday 1 November with 29 offences, including indecent assaults – contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 1956, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent – contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and misconduct in a public office – contrary to Common Law.

The charges relate to 18 complainants, who were aged between 17 and 31 at the time of alleged incidents.

The alleged offending of the former officer took place between 1999 and 2007 in various police stations across the Hampshire force area, where Mr Hutchings worked as an inspector.

He left the force in 2007. The Operation Marmion team began an investigation in 2021, following reports about this alleged offending.

He is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 5 December.