Serving police officer, 43, accused of raping two ladies and sexually assaulting woman underneath 14 seems in courtroom
A 43-year-old serving police officer accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a child has appeared in court.
PC Joe Lavender, of the town of Castleford, West Yorkshire, is alleged to have committed the historical crimes when off-duty while serving with West Yorkshire Police.
He was charged with seven sexual assault offences.
Appearing before magistrates in York today, he faced four counts of raping a woman between September 2001 and July 2002 in Leeds.
He is alleged to have raped a second woman in December 2002 in Leeds.
Lavender also faced two counts of indecently assaulting a girl aged under 14 between May 2002 and September 2002.
His lawyer Stephen Gelsthorpe indicated not guilty pleas on his behalf during the brief hearing.
The officer – who has been suspended from duty – initially spoke only to confirm his name before Mr Gelsthorpe applied to the court for his home address to be withheld from being disclosed.
A 43-year-old serving policeman (pictured) accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a child has appeared in court
PC Joe Lavender (pictured), of the town of Castleford, West Yorkshire, is alleged to have committed the historical crimes when off-duty while serving with West Yorkshire Police
But district judge Adrian Lower threw out the application, ruling the press were entitled to report where Lavender lived.
Mr Lower said: ‘The media has the right to know what takes place in the criminal courts and the media acts as the eyes and ears of the public to enable it to report on criminal justice issues.
‘In no way should the principle of open justice be compromised in this case.’
Lavender was then made to spell out his home address of Medley Street, Castleford, in West Yorkshire. A different address of Orchard Grove, Castleford, was listed on court papers.
The case was sent to York Crown Court where Lavender will next appear on March 7.
Judge Lower released Lavender on conditional bail which will last until half an hour before the trial on the morning of March 7.
He told the officer: ‘The matters you face are matters which in part can only be dealt with at the crown court.
‘Therefore they will be sent to the crown court at York.’
He added: ‘You must be at the court on March 7. If you’re not, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. If you breach your bail you could be arrested.’
