A serving police sergeant has been permanently barred from policing after a 'deliberate and calculated' act of vandalism that saw him destroy two wigs being used for cancer treatment.
A Cruel and Targeted Assault
James Evans, 34, from Manchester, was off duty when he carried out the attack, which a disciplinary panel concluded was designed to inflict maximum psychological harm on his victim. The items destroyed, valued at around £3,000, included the vital medical wigs, underwear, a laptop, a signed copy of a book by former motorbike racer Guy Martin, and a lace hair accessory intended for a wedding.
Evans admitted a charge of criminal damage at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in July last year. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which included 80 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity days. The court also ordered him to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim, referred to in proceedings as 'Person A', who was left distressed by the violation.
Resignation Ahead of Dismissal
The criminal conviction triggered a gross misconduct hearing at Greater Manchester Police (GMP), which took place on December 19 last year. In a move criticised by senior officers, Evans resigned from his role just 24 hours before the hearing concluded. He refused to attend the proceedings and did not send any representation to argue his case.
GMP's chief constable, Sir Stephen Watson, presided over the hearing. In a written summary, he stated that the breaches were proven and amounted to gross misconduct. Sir Stephen was scathing in his assessment, noting that Evans's training and experience should have warned him his actions were 'patently unlawful, ill-judged and indefensible'.
'Elements of his actions; aside from being criminal, were morally reprehensible and appeared cruelly designed to maximise the intended psychological harm upon Person A,' Sir Stephen wrote. He emphasised that Evans, holding the rank of sergeant, bore an additional responsibility to act as a role model.
Barred from Policing for Life
The chief constable determined that the misconduct was so severe that, had Evans not resigned, he would have been dismissed from the police service with immediate effect. Sir Stephen also stressed that officers must not be allowed to evade accountability by disengaging from misconduct processes, highlighting that such hearings are vital to sustain public confidence in the police.
As a direct result of the hearing, James Evans's name has been added to the College of Policing Barred List. This action permanently prevents him from ever holding a future role in policing within the UK. The case underscores the force's commitment to holding its officers to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty.
