A FORMER police officer has been jailed and put on the sex offenders register after “appalling” physical and verbal abuse of women over more than a decade.
In June, Christopher Ferguson, 31, was found guilty of a string of charges across 14 years, including stalking, assault, and threatening behaviour.
Ferguson was arrested and charged in 2021 for crimes dating back to 2007. He was suspended from his role with Police Scotland “immediately” and later resigned from the force.
He had been due to be sentenced in July, but it was delayed for background reports.
On Wednesday, August 21, Ferguson was given three years and nine months behind bars for the series of abusive and violent offences against three women.
The former police officer was also given a non-harassment order and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
READ MORE: Four hospitalised after 'violent' Police Scotland response to Palestine protest
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “My thoughts remain with those who survived the appalling abuse by Christopher Ferguson and I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing him to justice.
“We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer, but I want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.
“It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart. The onus is on policing to build and maintain public confidence and consent which is critical in our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.
“Criminality or misconduct by officers or staff damages public confidence and there is no place in policing for those who do not uphold our values.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here