A former Hertfordshire Constabulary police constable was sentenced in court this week (Wednesday 6 August).

Chris Rann, aged 47, from Hitchin, first appeared at Luton Magistrates' Court on Thursday 3 July where he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating and one count of sexual assault.

The offences took place in December 2024 and relate to one victim.

At a hearing yesterday in the same court, Rann was sentenced to a 12-month high-level community order.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation requirement and will be on the sex offenders' register for five years. He was further subjected to pay £500 in compensation, £85 in costs and a 12-month restraining order against the victim.

Rann had been suspended from duty pending the conclusion of an internal investigation and has recently resigned from his post. A conduct hearing will be held in due course. 

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner said: "Rann's conduct fell well below the standards we expect in Hertfordshire. 

"Officers and staff who fall below our policing standards and, in this case, commit criminal offences damage the public's confidence in what we do, which in turn makes our job of catching criminals and protecting victims harder."