A Metropolitan Police officer who cynically exploited his position to prey on a vulnerable burglary victim has been jailed for three years in a case that exposes a shocking abuse of power.
Paul Hoile, 39, dubbed 'PC Predator' by prosecutors, was handed the sentence at Southwark Crown Court after admitting misconduct in public office. The court heard how the officer, attached to the Met's Central North Command, used confidential details from a crime report to contact his victim just hours after she had been burgled.
A Gross Breach of Trust
Hoile first visited the woman's North London home on 12th December 2022 to take a statement after the break-in. That same evening, he used the personal information from her file to send her an inappropriate WhatsApp message.
Over the following days, Hoile engaged in sexual communication with the victim before arranging to meet her at her home on 16th December, where sexual activity took place.
Judge Gregory Perrins, sentencing, stated: "You were in a position of trust and power and she was a vulnerable victim of crime. This was an egregious breach of trust that has undoubtedly undermined public confidence in the police."
The Unravelling of a Career
The officer's predatory behaviour only came to light when the victim bravely reported his actions to the police in February 2023. An investigation was immediately launched by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards.
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who leads the Central North Command, expressed her disgust at Hoile's actions: "Hoile's behaviour was predatory and unacceptable. He exploited his position as a police officer and the trust placed in him to target a vulnerable woman."
Hoile was subsequently suspended from duty and later resigned from the force in May 2023, ending what the prosecution described as a "20-year career destroyed by his own actions."
Institutional Damage
This case represents another serious blow to public confidence in the Metropolitan Police, coming amidst numerous scandals that have rocked the force in recent years.
The victim, whose life was profoundly impacted by both the burglary and subsequent exploitation, has been offered ongoing support by specialist services.
Commander James Harman, who leads the Met's Professionalism Command, offered a stark warning: "There is no place in the Met for officers who abuse their position and we will root them out. We are determined to win back the trust of Londoners."
Hoile will now serve his sentence as a registered sex offender, his career and reputation in ruins following one of the most serious breaches of police conduct in recent memory.
