Policeman accused of raping two women

The parents of policeman Paul Banfield at court

A police sergeant raped two women and indecently assaulted another, a court was told on Wednesday.

Paul Banfield, 33, of the Cambridgeshire force, raped one woman in a cell and another after breaking into her home, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

On another occasion he indecently assaulted a woman with whom he had had a previous relationship, a jury of eight men and four women heard.

Mr Banfield, who lives in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, denies all four charges - two rapes, burglary with intent to rape and indecent assault.

But Roy Amlot, QC, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Banfield had admitted three indecent assaults on two women who were being held prisoner at the main Cambridge police station where he was a custody sergeant.

Tracey Smith, Mr Banfield's girlfriend, at court

In all but one of the six attacks, Mr Banfield was on duty in uniform, the court heard.

Mr Amlot said Mr Banfield was based at Cambridge's main police station, Parkside, during that time.

He said the attacks had taken place between September 1998 and October 1999. None of the victims can be named for legal reasons.

He said the first came after Mr Banfield met a 45-year-old divorcee while sitting in a police van in Cambridge's market square late one Saturday in September 1998.

"Friendly banter"

The woman had been out drinking with friends and approached Mr Banfield. During the course of some "friendly banter" the woman told Mr Banfield she had recently been the victim of a burglary and gave him her address.

Mr Amlot said Mr Banfield later broke into the home of the woman - referred to as Woman B - and raped her after finding her asleep. He then put his uniform back on and left.

The woman spoke to police shortly afterwards but did not pursue a formal complaint because she was "scared".

She contacted detectives a year later after learning Mr Banfield was suspected of another attack.

"Grabbed"

Mr Amlot said Mr Banfield told detectives the woman had agreed to sex.

The second attack had taken place in August 1999. Mr Banfield, who had briefly been involved with the woman - referred to as Woman C - four years previously, contacted her and visited her at home.

She says he used the rather chilling expression, '`What are you going to do? Call the police?'

Roy Amlot, QC, prosecuting

He was said to have grabbed her, pulled her into the bedroom and attempted to undress her. She told him to leave

Mr Amlot added: "She says he used the rather chilling expression, `What are you going to do? Call the police?"'

He said the woman had decided not to report the matter at the time but later contacted police after hearing that Mr Banfield had been arrested in connection with another assault.

When questioned, Mr Banfield told police the woman had invited him to her flat and started cuddling him.

Admitted assault

He admitted two offences of indecent assault against Woman F, a 20-year-old woman who had been held in custody at Parkside after being arrested for shoplifting in September 1999.

After her release, the woman said Mr Banfield had continued to pester her.

In October 1999, he attacked a 24-year-old woman - Woman D - arrested for being drunk and disorderly, in a cell at Parkside.

He admitted indecently assaulting Woman D, the jury heard.

Later that month Banfield allegedly raped a 28-year-old woman in a cell at Parkside after she had been arrested for failing to answer bail.

The case continues.