South Wales Police officer charged with perverting the course of justice

A serving police officer is to appear in court after he allegedly pursued an inappropriate relationship with a victim of crime.

The police watchdog said the officer has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

PC Paul Higgins, who serves with South Wales Police, has also been charged with three counts of unauthorised access to police computer systems and data, and one count of improper exercise of police powers.

The 41-year-old is due to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

An investigation was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after receiving a referral about Higgins' conduct from South Wales Police in May 2021.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges against Higgins after the IOPC passed it a file of evidence after its investigation ended in February 2023.

The IOPC has said that Higgins remains suspended.

A IOPC spokesman said: "The officer is alleged to have pursued an inappropriate sexual or emotional relationship with a woman who was a victim of crime he had met through his duties.

"He is alleged to have given incorrect information to colleagues, supervisors and IOPC investigators, and encouraged the woman to give the same false account to the IOPC in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

"In addition, he is also accused of accessing police systems for information without a policing purpose."

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