Former Police Officers Deny Sex Offences Alleged to Have Taken Place in the 1990s

Strategic Insights -

Two former police officers, Ian Hopkinson and William Baker, have appeared in court to deny a number of sex offences allegedly committed in the 1990s while they served in West Yorkshire Police's mounted horse section in Pontefract. The charges against them include rape and indecent assault of an underage girl, with Hopkinson facing five counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault, and Baker facing three counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape. The case has been adjourned until March 6, 2026, with a trial date likely to be set for 2027.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ian Hopkinson, 63, has been charged with five counts of rape of a girl under 16 years old and five counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16.
  • William Baker, 78, has been charged with three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 and two counts of rape of a female under 16-years-old.
  • The charges were brought after a woman reported being the victim of serious sexual offences in 2023.
  • A 74-year-old police officer was also arrested as part of the investigation, but has since died and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
  • Both men were released on conditional bail.
  • The case is next listed for a hearing on March 6, 2026, with a trial date likely to be set for 2027.

Statistics:

  • Ian Hopkinson is facing five counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault.
  • William Baker is facing three counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape.
  • The charges allegedly took place in the 1990s.
  • The investigation was sparked by a woman's report in 2023.
  • A 74-year-old police officer was also involved in the investigation.
  • Both men have been released on conditional bail.

Sources:

  • [1] A 74-year-old man, who was also a West Yorkshire Police officer at the time of the reported offences, was also arrested as part of the investigation.[1]
  • [2] The pair appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, June 9, where they entered not guilty pleas to all offences.[2]
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