Former head of police watchdog 'shocked' by claims of historic sex offences in Hull, jury hears

The former head of the police watchdog has told of his “shock” at historic sex claims, saying he stepped down from his high-profile role as it was “the right thing to do”.

Michael Lockwood, 65, faces 17 charges – for three rapes and 14 indecent assaults – relating to two 14-year-old girls some 40 years ago.

At the time, he was in his 20s and worked part-time at a leisure centre near Hull in East Yorkshire where he allegedly met and sexually abused the girls.

Lockwood went on to have a “distinguished” career in local government before becoming director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is the police complaints watchdog for England and Wales.

One of the alleged victims, now aged in her 50s, came forward to claim she was repeatedly raped in a store cupboard and indecently assaulted in Lockwood’s Ford Capri.

A second woman later alleged Lockwood indecently assaulted her in a male toilet cubicle at the leisure centre and in the back of his mother’s car after she turned 15.

Giving evidence on Friday at the Old Bailey, Lockwood told jurors how his public profile was heightened around 2021 after police officer Wayne Couzens murdered Sarah Everard and a young black man named Chris Kaba was fatally shot, leading to protests.

He had also taken responsibility for the Grenfell Tower after the fatal fire and had been asked by bereaved families to be co-chairman of the Grenfell Memorial Trust.

Defence barrister Sarah Elliott KC asked about his reaction to being interviewed by police when allegations first emerged.

“I was absolutely shocked," he said. "I did not recognise the name of the individual. Secondly, this related to events some 45 years ago.”

On being interviewed about the second woman, he said he was “particularly upset” as they had been in a relationship.

“It was somebody I loved," he said. "It was a long-standing relationship.”

He insisted their sexual relationship began after she turned 16 and it was consensual.

Following the initial allegations, Lockwood said he decided to step down from his role at the IOPC and the Grenfell Memorial Trust in December 2022.

"I thought it was the right thing to do," he told the jury. "There was a lot of press interest. There were allegations made. In the interests of the organisation [IOPC], I thought it was the right thing to do to step back.

“I thought for the organisation’s sake, while these allegations were being investigated, to step aside.”

Asked about the allegations, he said: “I would never ever have engaged in sexual activity, sexual intercourse with someone under 16. I would never take advantage of anyone.”

“Have you ever had sex with a 14-year-old?” asked Ms Elliott.

“No," replied Lockwood.

The oldest of three siblings, Lockwood told how his father had financial problems, became an alcoholic and “very sadly one day vanished from the home”, leading to his parents’ divorce.

“When my dad had left, I became the main breadwinner," he said. "I always worked to help my mum out with her being on her own.”

He told jurors he had worked at the leisure centre as a pool attendant and sports hall attendant and later taught swimming and keep fit.

He had competed in national swimming events before becoming a runner at a “very serious level”, taking part in the Humber Bridge Marathon, he said.

Asked about his romantic relationships, the father-of-two Lockwood said he had become engaged to a woman named Jill when he was at university and had other relationships before marrying his wife Amanda in 1996.

Ms Elliott asked about his memories of the period of the allegations against him.

“It is really difficult to remember 40 years ago," he said. "It is very difficult as you would expect 40 years ago to remember where you were, what you were doing, who you were speaking to – and there are gaps.”

He said he did not remember where or when he had met the second complainant or helping her with her GCSEs but said he “always liked to support and help people”.

But he told jurors that at first, the relationship was a “friendship and nothing more”.

“As far as you are concerned, Mr Lockwood, was there any sexual romantic activity between you and her when she was 15?" asked Ms Elliott.

“No," said Lockwood.

Asked if the age gap between them had been an issue, he said: “There was clearly an age difference we both knew about.

"I thought at the time she acted maturely in a grown-up way. I was quite immature at that age and I remember I was very open about the fact there was an age difference.”

The defendant said he did not recall having pulled her into a toilet at the leisure centre or other staff there “taking the mickey” or singing about them.

“At the leisure centre, people joked, played around, made comments so it was something that could have been said," he added.

Under cross-examination, the defendant was asked whether he “fancied” the second complainant before they embarked on a relationship.

“I do not remember fancying her at that stage. I was just talking to her like I spoke to every other customer at the leisure centre.”

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC said: “She said you took her to the gents toilet, this was a room that had a single cubicle in it.”

“I do not recall that but it may have happened," said Lockwood. "I would have been absolutely clear at that stage that she was over 16 years of age.”

Lockwood, of Epsom in Surrey, denies three counts of rape and six counts of indecent assault relating to the first complainant between October 1985 and March 1986.

He has pleaded not guilty to eight indecent assaults relating to the second complainant on dates between August 1979 and August 1981.

The trial continues.

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