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A “predatory” Merseyside detective who “sexted” domestic abuse victims and convinced two of them to have sex with him was today jailed for four years.

Michael McMillan, 32, abused his position in the Family Crime Investigation Unit by targeting vulnerable women for sexual purposes.

The married dad-of-two – sacked after Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy branded him an officer of the worst kind – admitted misconduct involving seven victims.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that McMillan, of Victoria Road, Crosby, gained his victims’ trust then targeted them while “at their lowest point”.

The women told how his “disgusting” betrayal of public duty included:

Bombarding them with hundreds of “sexts” – sometimes more than 70-a-day – often while on duty;

Sending them lewd pictures and videos;

Asking for nude pictures and videos of them in return;

Convincing an alleged attempted rape victim to retract her complaint against her wishes and lying that he had sought protection for her;

Having sex with one victim after asking her to dress up for him;*Recommending no further action be taken against the ex of a woman who would not send him pictures;

Receiving a sex act from a woman while a junior colleague waited outside, before later having sex with her three times;

Receiving a sex act from a woman while completing a statement retracting her domestic violence complaint.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: “You used your position as a detective constable, specially trained in the handling of complaints of domestic violence and of its victims, to abuse that position in the worst way imaginable - for your sexual gratification in order to further and in some cases satisfy your apparent insatiable sexual appetite.

“All of these women were left with their confidence and trust in the police shattered. That confidence may never be regained.”

McMillan was a Merseyside Police officer for 13 years and committed the offences between June 2011 and June 2014.

They came to light when a 17-year-old girl missing from home was found to have contacted McMillan.

Duncan Bould, prosecuting, said police examined his phone and discovered a vast number of sexual texts and images.

McMillan told the victim of an alleged attempted rape that she looked attractive in a bikini in a photo on her attacker’s phone, before sending pictures of his penis.

He later convinced her to retract her attempted rape allegation and she is now reluctant to contact police, despite being subjected to more abuse.

The mum-of-two said: “In hindsight I wish I hadn’t retracted the complaint.”

He texted another victim – graded as a ‘gold’ response domestic violence victim – saying “I want to f*** you”.

She refused to reply with indecent pictures, despite his multiple visits to her home.

He recommended no further action be taken against her attacker and said she was unwilling to help police and had retracted her statement.

However, Mr Bould said she gave eight or nine statements and continued to be harassed by her ex.

David Temkin, defending, said his client suffered from bipolar disorder and was under the care of a consultant psychiatrist.

He said McMillan was never threatening or violent towards the complainants, but was ashamed and embarrassed by his behaviour.

Mr Temkin said: “For what’s it’s worth he offers a clear apology to them.”

McMillan sobbed as the court heard his humiliated wife will be forced to move house, while his two young daughters will be “robbed of a father figure”.

Mr Temkin said most of McMillan’s friends had turned their backs on him and he was scared of going to prison.

Judge Goldstone said McMillan undid the hard work of professional colleagues in building bridges with victims to fulfil his “predatory sexual urges”.

He said: “Even within baskets of the choicest fruits there may be found one rotten apple.

“You showed yourself in the so-called discharge of your duties as a police officer, in which you professed to to have taken pride, to be rotten to the core.”

An investigation was also carried out by Merseyside Police and managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Today IPCC Commissioner, Carl Gumsley, said: “A thorough investigation was carried out by Merseyside Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit, managed by the IPCC, into these serious matters.

“This revealed evidence that DC McMillan had repeatedly sought to abuse the trust of victims of crime; bringing discredit on his own force by doing so.

“I would like to thank those who came forward and provided evidence as part of this investigation.

“Misconduct in public office is a serious offence. I hope this case will demonstrate that those who engage in inappropriate and criminal behaviour will be held to account.”

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