Police apology to vulnerable sex victim of investigator

Sussex Police has apologised to the victim of a police investigator who engaged in sexual activity with her while he was on duty.

David Gamlin, 59, was dismissed from the force in 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison for misconduct in October 2025.

The woman, who was vulnerable, said Gamlin told her he would help get her children back from care in return for sex, although he has denied using his job as leverage.

She said she asked for an apology after the trial and was "upset" the force didn't come forward "off their own back" and much sooner. Sussex Police said they were sorry for Gamlin's offending and the service the woman received from the force.

In a statement Deputy Chief Constable Dave McLaren added: "[Gamlin's] behaviour was rightly subject to an impartial criminal investigation, resulting in a jail sentence, and Gamlin has been barred from ever serving with the police again."

In October Southwark Crown Court heard that Claire, whose name has been changed, was alone and isolated when Gamlin arrived at her door after she reported being harassed by a member of the public.

Gamlin met Claire for sex on at least five occasions but made no police record of him attending her address.

Claire eventually told her story to a police officer who came to see her after she attempted to take her own life.

She feels that the suicidal thoughts she experienced were a trauma response linked to her interactions with Gamlin, rather than being part of a pattern of wider mental health issues.

But Claire said police reports seen by the BBC which were made about her after she reported Gamlin contained information which she said was false, including descriptions of her as a "fantasist" and an attention-seeker with a "long history of suicidal behaviour".

Claire says these details, which she believes were seen by social services, impacted their perception of her as a mother.

"Gamlin got his sentence, I got an apology but my sentence is still there," said Claire.

"I miss my son. I haven't seen him for a whole year now. It's awful.

"I don't think [Sussex Police] really understand the knock-on effects of how their officers have affected my son coming home."

The BBC understands that no further misconduct allegations, or evidence of misconduct, have come to light in relation to the investigation into Gamlin's offending or Sussex Police's previous interactions with the victim.

Claire, who now has custody of two of her three children, said she felt "angry" and "let down" by West Sussex County Council and the police.

"I feel like this could have been done so differently. When will this nightmare end? When am I going to wake up, my family back together?"

West Sussex County Council said it did not comment on individual cases.

Hugh French, representing Gamlin in court, said his client realised and accepted that he let down the woman, his wife and his family, and offered a "genuine apology".

McLaren said David Gamlin abused the trust of the vulnerable victim.

"We remain committed to delivering the best possible service to all members of the community, and rooting out those officers and staff who have no place in policing," he added.

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