[linstah]

A Queensland police officer has been jailed for six years for sexually assaulting women held in a Sunshine Coast watchhouse.

Peter Anthony Buxton, 53, of Palmwoods, pleaded guilty at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court to 24 charges including rape, sexual assault, deprivation of liberty and procuring sexual acts by intimidation.

The charges followed an eight-month investigation by the police ethical standards command into the treatment of six women, aged between 19 and 40, at the Maroochydore watchhouse in 2005 by Buxton and another long-serving officer.

Buxton will be eligible for parole in July 2009.

His co-accused, a 50-year-old from Nambour who cannot be named, is facing similar charges but has not yet been committed to stand trial.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said Buxton's offences were "a disgrace" and "an abuse of authority and trust from an officer responsible for the custody and welfare of people in a watchhouse".

"Today's court result is the result of a thorough and professional investigation and highlights the fact that people have the confidence to come forward and make complaints about unethical and criminal behaviour," Mr Atkinson said in a statement.

But he warned the public against judging the entire force based on Buxton's actions.

"We have a fine organisation with an overwhelming percentage of professional, dedicated and ethical people who work tirelessly for the people of Queensland," Mr Atkinson said.

credit to: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pol...4560040156.html

This post has been edited by linstah: 20 July 2007 - 09:33 PM

[Sunny]

wow my old home was in Maroochydore for 5 years, hehe thats horrible. THanks for sharing ja