Sex-charge officer's marriage lie

A former policeman accused of attempted rape lied about being married to establish a relationship with women he met while on duty, a court has heard.

Lee Rackham, of Marchant Close, Beverley, denies the attempted rape and five charges of sexual assault between April and September last year.

The ex-Humberside Police officer told Leeds Crown Court he was ashamed and embarrassed by the way he had acted.

The 33-year-old said he had been going through a "rough patch" with his wife.

It is alleged he assaulted women who were either single or whose relationship was breaking down.

Because of my actions, I've lost my job, a good career, a good pension Lee Rackham

The court heard how he met an alleged victim when called to her home following a dispute with her husband.

Mr Rackham said the incident was resolved that night but he telephoned the woman the next day to check on her welfare, adding: "I felt we got on very well and felt there was some sort of attraction between us."

In the following days, Mr Rackham said he and the woman spoke on the phone and arranged to meet.

He told the court that before that meeting he was on duty and parked the marked police vehicle in a road close to her home.

Alisdair Williamsom, defending, asked Mr Rackham if he had grabbed the woman at this time as she had alleged, but he denied doing so.

Telephone contact

He said she had willingly got into the front passenger seat of the vehicle and kissed him.

He said he maintained phone contact with her after that occasion and in the weeks following, arranged to visit her home.

A previous hearing was told that it was during that visit that the alleged victim claimed Mr Rackham tried to rape her while her young son was strapped into his pushchair in a nearby room.

Mr Rackham denied this and said all physical contact was consensual.

He said: "We kissed in the kitchen and she did grope my crotch area.

"The only concern she had, and was mine also, was that her son might walk into the kitchen."

He told the court the way he had conducted himself around the alleged victims was "something I'm not proud of".

"I'm embarrassed, I'm ashamed," he said.

"Because of my actions, I've lost my job, a good career, a good pension. I haven't been fair to my wife."

The trial continues.