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SACKED: Gerry Hutchings at Ringwood Police Station

A DISGRACED former Hampshire police chief has been jailed for a series of humiliating acts on young boys.

Gerry Hutchings, 48, a former police inspector in the New Forest, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for making teenage boys drop their trousers while he was reprimanding them.

Brighton Crown Court heard how Hutchings had 11 victims who he made strip naked and on some occasions touch their toes while he looked on.

Ten of the incidents, which left his victims "embarrassed and frightened", took place in Lyndhurst where he was an inspector for 13 years. He also served at Ringwood for a period beginning in 2005 Hutchings was also given an Asbo which will come into force when his sentence is completed.

Judge Cedric Joseph said Hutchings would serve eight months before being released but would be banned from working unsupervised with children under 18.

Deputy chief constable Ian Readhead, who was at court for the hearing said after sentence: "Mr Hutchings' abhorrent actions as an inspector are a disgrace to the uniform worn by all law-abiding police officers.

"His behaviour is totally untypical of those serving with Hampshire Constabulary and falls far short of the high standards we expect from our staff.

"I have visited the victims at their homes to apologise on behalf of the constabulary for this officer's actions.

"As a police service we are committed to ensuring Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remain safe places to live. That commitment extends to police stations where members of the public have a right to feel especially secure."

The incidents took place between July 2006 and July 2007.

As a result of the investigations Hutchings was subjected to a fast track disciplinary hearing where he was dismissed with immediate effect in August last year by Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan.

Prosecutors offered no evidence against ten further allegations of sexual offences and Judge Joseph officially recorded a not guilty verdict.

7:00am Saturday 10th May 2008

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