Former student police officer jailed after sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl

Ex-Pc Haider Siddique, of Allwood Gardens, Birmingham, was sentenced today at Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The 22-year-old was jailed for seven years and seven months.

Siddique, who was a student police officer at West Midlands Police at the time of the offence, met his victim after contacting her online.

He was arrested when a bus driver saw him in March of last year behaving inappropriately with the child and reported the matter to police.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green, of WMP, said: “This was a sickening criminal act by a former student officer and I know his fellow officers will be repulsed by his behaviour.

“We did not hesitate to arrest and suspend Siddique and 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.”

Lauranne Middleton of the Crown Prosecution Service said after the sentence was passed: "Haider Siddique grossly abused his position of trust as a student police officer and as an adult to meet and sexually abuse a child.

"The overwhelming file of evidence presented to the court left Siddique with no option but to plead guilty to his appalling crimes and reflects how seriously the Crown Prosecution Service views this type of offending.

"We are grateful for the bravery displayed by the young victim and the actions of the bus driver who reported Siddique’s inappropriate behaviour, which led to the police investigation and prosecution of this man."

Siddique joined West Midlands Police in August 2021, but had been on sick leave since November that year and was never deployed to an operational role.

Following sentencing, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Having undertaken training to become a police officer, Siddique should have known the devastating impact child sexual abuse can have on the victims.

“His targeted grooming and sexual abuse of a vulnerable girl was a terrible breach of trust, and we hope she is receiving the care and support she needs.

“We also commend the bus driver who spoke up about Siddique’s behaviour.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns for a child’s safety to speak out and seek support to help protect them.

“Adults with concerns about the wellbeing of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

“Children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111.”