A former Nottinghamshire Police officer has been jailed after befriending and abusing a young boy he met while on duty.
Anthony Critchley, 64, of Riseholme Avenue, Wollaton, was charged with three counts of indecent assault on a child and one of indecency with a child.
The offences were committed in the early 1970s against a boy in his early teens.
Critchley denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
The court heard how Critchley befriended the young boy after attending his home following an allegation of an assault against his mother.
Critchley and the boy bonded over a shared affection for birds and Critchley said he would take the child to Attenborough Nature Reserve.
The court was told how Critchley was trusted by the victim and his mother because of his position of trust at the police.
Critchley then took the boy to the Nature Reserve while off-duty and sexually assaulted him. On two further occasions Critchley collected the boy from his home, on each occasion committing further acts of sexual abuse.
Critchley was sentenced to two years in prison. He will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Det Insp Amy Styles-Jones said: “The sentencing today is testament to the bravery of the victim who came forward and trusted the police service with this complaint.
“Nottinghamshire Police will take reports of such matters seriously and investigate them, working with the Crown Prosecution Service to put a robust case to the courts. Reporting of such matters should not be deterred by time delays or the community standing of those responsible.”
