A FORMER West Midlands Police student officer has admitted to sexual assault of a vulnerable teenager.
Ex-PC Haider Siddique was arrested after a bus driver spotted him acting inappropriately on a bus in March last year.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child at Birmingham Crown Court.
The 22-year-old resigned whilst in custody and has been remanded pending sentencing on March 3.
Siddique joined the force in August 2021, but had been off sick since November that year.
West Midlands Police said Siddique was never deployed to an operational role.
Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “This was a sickening criminal act by a former student officer.
“We did not hesitate to arrest Siddique and have carried out a robust and meticulous investigation to establish the full extent of his abuse.
“We are committed to rooting out any member of staff who engages in criminality whenever we find evidence of it.
“Siddique’s crimes will have significantly impacted upon his victim, and I know his fellow officers will be repulsed by his behaviour.”
After the criminal court case has concluded, West Midlands Police said it will carry out a ‘former officer’ misconduct hearing.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Siddique ruthlessly groomed this vulnerable girl – purporting to be a support to her – so that he could sexually abuse her, while his role in society at the time as a police officer was to protect people from harm.
“Child sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on a person’s life, and it is imperative that this young girl receives all the help and support she needs.
“This case underlines the importance of people taking action when they have concerns about a child, and we would urge anyone who is worried about a child’s safety or welfare to follow this bus driver’s example and to speak up.”
