Former police officer Gerard Hutchings, from Ashurst in the New Forest, charged with 29 historical misconduct and sex offences

A former police officer from the New Forest has been charged with 29 historical misconduct and sex offences.

Gerard Hutchings (64) of Wingrove Road, Ashurst, was charged on Wednesday. The offences include indecent assaults, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and misconduct in a public office.

It follows an investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team.

The charges relate to 18 complainants, who were aged between 17 and 31 at the time of alleged incidents which were reported to have happened between 1999 and 2007 in various police stations across Hampshire, where Mr Hutchings was an inspector.

He left the force in 2007, and the Operation Marmion team began investigating in 2021 after reports about the alleged offending.

Hutchings is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5th December.