A former officer has been jailed for sexually abusing a teenage girl in the 1980s.

David Surridge, 70, - a special Constable at the time of the offences - appeared at Warwick Crown Court on 12 August where he pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assaults against a teenage girl when she aged between 13 and 16.

He was jailed for seven years at the same court following a Warwickshire Police investigation.

The victim met Surridge, of New Green Park, Coventry, when she moved to a house near to him in Warwick.

The suspect began to groom her; he brought her gifts and alcohol and would take her for days out. This quickly progressed to sexual abuse.

The victim reported the offending in 2022 after watching a television programme about grooming. In interview, she told officers that up until this point she had blamed herself for what had happened but now realised she was in fact a victim.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Heather Webb, said: The victim has shown great bravery in contacting police and supporting this investigation.

"This outcome shows that time is no barrier to delivering justice and I hope it gives other victims of sexual offences, no matter when they happened, the confidence to come forward. We will listen, we will investigate, and we will work to bring offenders to justice."

Detective Superintendent Paul Thompson from Warwickshire Police said: "As a police officer Surridge should have been protecting vulnerable people, not exploiting them. I hope his victim can take some comfort from seeing him put behind bars for his crimes."

For more information on reporting child sex abuse go to How to report possible child abuse | Warwickshire Police