Midlothian police officer carried out campaign of abuse against his partner
Constable currently suspended from the force
A Midlothian police officer who terrorised his former partner for more than five years has been banned from contacting his victim.
PC David Brown, 39, carried out the lengthy campaign of domestic abuse while he was in a relationship with the woman between May 2019 and January last year, at an address in Bonnyrigg.
The disgraced officer was found guilty by a sheriff of repeatedly shouting, swearing and making offensive comments towards the woman on occasions while they were living as a couple.
Prosecutors dropped allegations the Brown had brandished a knife, raised his fist towards the woman and punched doors within their shared home during the two day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.
Police Scotland has confirmed the constable is currently suspended from the force and he is likely to face disciplinary proceedings following the sentencing.
Brown returned to court for sentencing yesterday, Friday, September 11, where Sheriff Graeme Watson said he found it “astonishing” the officer had put forward references stating the charges are “disgusting”.
Sheriff Watson said: “I have taken into account your references and some of those are of assistance to me, others effectively underscore your denial of the allegations which you have been convicted.
“I find it astonishing that you chose to submit a character reference that says the charges are disgusting and question who the actual victim is here.”
The sheriff said the conviction “passes the threshold for a custodial sentence”, but with Brown being a first offender he was content to impose a community payback order.
Sheriff Watson added: “I also take into account your denial of the offending, your blaming of your victim, your minimising of your actions and your chronic pattern of behaviour.”
Brown, whose address was given as c/o Police Scotland’s professional standard committee, was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 18 months.
The sheriff also imposed a non-harassment order that prohibits Brown from approaching or contacting his former partner for two years.
Previously the victim told the trial she and Brown met around 2002 and the couple had split up in January 2023.
She said he had worked for several insurance companies and following the break down of their relationship he had joined the police in September 2023.
The woman broke down in the dock several times as she recounted the events of the five year campaign of abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner. She told the trial she regularly felt “scared” and “worthless” while they were together due to Brown’s abusive behaviour, and that she had “felt like a skivvy most of the time running after him”.
Following last month’s guilty verdict, a senior Police Scotland officer slammed Brown’s behaviour and praised the victim for coming forward to report the abuse.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison said: “Brown’s actions go against everything we stand for. Our thoughts are with victim, and I hope this conviction provides her with some measure of closure.
“I commend her strength in reporting these crimes and bringing this individual to justice. We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer.
“I would like to reassure the public that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.
“All officers are bound by our Standards of Professional Behaviour, which apply on and off duty. Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken.”