Child sex abuse trial: PC denied "no prosecution deal" claim

Det Con Andy Stephanek, the investigating officer in Operation Clover, was asked to give evidence at the trial today and detail a report he put together on PC Hassan Ali in August 2013.

PC Ali was killed last year in a road accident.

One of the 12 complainants in the trial, who gave birth to defendant Arshid Hussain’s child when she was 15, had previously told the court Hussain was in contact with PC Ali.

The woman said Hussain, PC Ali, and former Rotherham Council deputy leader Jhangir Akhtar were all part of a “no prosecution deal” after the woman went missing with Hussain (pictured) when she was under 16.

She claims the pair spoke to Hussain, who was in his mid 20s, and told him to drop her off at a petrol station and he would not be prosecuted.

Det Con Stephanek said he had been ordered to speak to PC Ali about the woman’s claims and report back to his chief inspector.

The detective said he had been made aware that the woman’s story was going to be published in The Times newspaper.

In his interview PC Ali said he knew the woman as she was a regular MFH (missing from home).

PC Ali said he could only recall one occasion he had dealt with her direct which was when he visited her parent’s address when she had returned home from going missing.

PC Ali said he had no recollection of recovering the woman from Hussain at a petrol station.

He also provided his police pocket note book from March 1, 2000, which was when the alleged handover took place, which had nothing in it relating to contact with Hussain or the woman.

His colleague who was on duty with him, PC Appleby who now works in Nottingham, also told Det Con Stephanek no petrol station meeting had taken place.

PC Ali said he was on “nodding terms” with Mr Akhtar but had never asked him to assist with any police enquires.

Mr Stephen Uttley, defending Hussain, said to Det Con Stephanek that despite a number of officers being subject to an investigation about alleged misconduct, not one officer was being formally interviewed by the IPCC, or was being prosecuted.

He replied he was not aware of any, but it would be something he would be kept separate from as investigating officer in Operation Clover (the inquiry under which Hussain was arrested).

Hussain, of Goole, denies 29 offences.

The trial continues.