Ex-Greater Manchester Police Detective Jailed for Sexual Assaults

Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, 42, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting two female colleagues while working at Greater Manchester Police. Found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, Mills's actions have been described by Judge David Swinnerton as a significant breach of trust that has severely impacted the victims' mental health and careers. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Mills engaged in inappropriate 'sexualised banter' and assaulted the women in the presence of others, further exacerbating their sense of shame. Both victims bravely came forward, leading to the prosecution, and they expressed the lasting emotional toll the incidents have taken on their lives. Greater Manchester Police will also pursue gross misconduct proceedings against Mills, and there are calls for him to lose his police pension. This case highlights ongoing concerns about workplace culture within the police force that may enable such behavior.