Detective's conviction quashed

A detective jailed six years ago for raping and sexually abusing a former girlfriend has had his conviction was quashed.

Detective Constable David Potter's nine-year sentence was overturned at London's High Court today.

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "I just want to thank everybody who has supported me today. Today is a vindication of the faith they had in me.
"I now just want to get on with the rest of my life."

Mr Potter added: "I have got no comment on the law.

"My plans now are to go away and try to relax. I have had no sleep for a long time."

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court in December 1998 found the former detective guilty of rape, false imprisonment and three offences of indecent assault.

The divorced father of two, who had been in the police force for 15 years, denied all the charges.

During the six-day trial, the jury was told the detective, of Beech Road, Huyton, Merseyside, had tied up, abused and humiliated his 36-year-old victim before assaulting her.

Lord Justice Scott Baker, Mr Justice Richards and Dame Heather Steele quashed the conviction at the Court of Appeal today after hearing fresh evidence which showed the alleged victim's evidence was unreliable.

Mr Potter said of his former girlfriend: "She will remain anonymous and I had my pictures plastered over the papers."