Neil Wilby Media

A West Yorkshire Police officer has denied raping three different women and indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

Police Constable Joe Lavender, 43, of Orchard Grove, Castleford has been charged with six counts of rape and two counts of indecently assaulting a child.

At York Crown Court last Friday (7th March, 2025), PC Lavender pleaded not guilty to all the charges laid against him.

The serving officer, who is based in the force’s Leeds District but currently suspended from duty, is alleged to have committed five offences of rape between September 2002 and July 2003, with another in January 2024, the first offence reported publicly by WYP.

The indecent assault is alleged to have taken place between May 2002 and September 2002.

He is due to stand trial, which will open on 8th September, 202x at the same court.

Page last updated: Monday 10th March, 2025 at 2015 hours

Photo Credits: WYP

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