policeman jailed for sexually assaulting homeless single mum

A police officer who targeted and sexually assaulted a homeless single mother he was supposed to be protecting has been jailed for three years.

Patrick Banks, 42, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court where a judge told him he had “grotesquely abused” his position as a serving officer in West Yorkshire Police’s specialist safeguarding unit.

The victim, who had reported a sexual assault to police in April 2025, said she was especially vulnerable at the time — homeless, caring for two children and relying on officers for help.

‘The man who was supposed to protect me took advantage’

Banks had been assigned to investigate her case but instead began contacting her from his personal phone, visiting her off‑duty in his own car and pretending he was working.

He sent her sexually explicit messages — which he had translated himself using Google Translate — including:

- “I like you a lot”  

- “I want to take off your underwear with my teeth”  

- “Do you miss sex”

He also touched her inappropriately and smelled her hair during a meeting, the court heard.

The woman told the court:

“What revolts me today is that the man who was supposed to protect me took advantage of this vulnerability.  

This trauma prevents me seeing the beauty and goodness in the world.”

Second woman targeted

Prosecutors revealed Banks also made inappropriate contact with a second woman who had reported a sexual assault. Police recovered 53 pages of messages, including personal questions about her past and a request for a “peck on the cheek”.

Officers later found the woman’s mobile phone inside Banks’ home — despite him telling her it had been sent for forensic examination.

Only one official record existed of Banks visiting either woman on legitimate police business.

Judge: ‘You were unhampered by scruples’

Sentencing him, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said:

“You grotesquely abused your position as a police officer whilst working in the safeguarding unit.  

It becomes exceptionally serious when the misconduct embraces a sexual crime.  

You were unhampered by scruples of any kind.”

Banks admitted misconduct in public office and sexual assault. He joined Essex Police in 2019 before transferring to West Yorkshire Police in 2022. He resigned in September 2025.