A RETIRED police inspector appeared in court today after being charged with sexual assaults against 18 victims.
Gerard Hutchings, of Wingrove Road, Ashurst, Hampshire, has been indicted with 29 counts ranging from indecent assault to causing a person to engage in sexual activity.
Gerard Hutchings faces 29 counts including allegations of indecent assaults, causing a person to engage in sexual activity and misconduct in a public officeSolent
The former inspector also faces misconduct in a public office as part of an alleged campaign of abuse dating back more than 20 years.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the alleged victims were aged between 17 and 31 at the time of the claimed assaults.
They are alleged to have happened during the defendant’s career as an inspector.
A probe into the claims was launched in 2021 after reports were filed.
A spokesman for the force said: “The alleged offending 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.”
Hutchings, 64, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court wearing a suit and tie for his preliminary hearing today.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
District judge Peter Greenfield sent the case to be heard at Southampton Crown Court instead, which will take place on January 5.
The defendant has been released on unconditional bail until that date.
“I will send all these cases to the crown court, I will grant you unconditional bail, if you are not there the judge can issue a warrant, otherwise free to go,” explained the District judge.
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