After the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, referred James McClements, 35, of Bridport, West Dorset, to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence system, his sentence was enhanced from eight months to fifteen months, with a 12-month suspension.
According to what the court heard, McClements went to the victim’s house after she called the police after being assaulted by her violent ex-partner. Between December 2023 and July 2024, McClements initiated a sexual contact with the victim by giving her his personal phone number. McClements coerced the victim into concealing their relationship throughout their time together.
Once, while McClements was at the victim’s house, her violent ex-partner unexpectedly showed up, violating the terms of his bail. In order to avoid disclosing his presence and endangering the victim, McClements convinced the victim not to report the incident to the authorities.
Ellie Reeves KC MP, the Attorney General, stated:
James McClements pursued a personal relationship with a victim of domestic abuse, abusing the trust that was placed in him as a police officer. In addition, he coerced the woman into keeping quiet when she should have received protection and expert assistance.
I applaud the Court of Appeal’s decision to lengthen his sentence, and I hope this makes it very evident that grave misbehaviour will result in harsh punishment.
James McClements was found guilty of one count of misconduct in a public office and sentenced to eight months in prison with a 12-month suspension on June 16, 2026, at Bristol Crown Court.
James McClement’s sentence was raised to 15 months in jail at the Court of Appeal on July 29, 2026.
After his sentence was reviewed, a former police officer who initiated a sexual relationship with a domestic violence victim he met while on duty was sentenced to prison.
James McClements, 35, entered a guilty plea to misconduct in public office in June and was initially handed a suspended prison sentence.
However, Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC used the Unduly Lenient Sentence procedure to refer his case to the Court of Appeal.
After leaving Dorset Police in 2025, the former officer was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Reeves said: “James McClements pursued an intimate relationship with a victim of domestic abuse, abusing the trust placed in him as a police officer.”
In addition, he forced the woman to remain silent when she should have received protection and expert assistance.
“I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase his sentence, and I hope this sends a clear message that serious misconduct will be severely punished.”
According to the Attorney General, McClements, a resident of Bridport, responded to a reported assault on the woman by giving her his phone number.
According to Reeves, the woman’s violent ex-partner violated his release terms by showing up at her house throughout their relationship in 2023 and 2024.
According to her, McClements convinced the victim not to report the crime so he could protect himself.
A judge at Bristol Crown Court first sentenced the former officer to eight months in prison with a one-year suspension.
McClements was found guilty of gross misconduct by a police tribunal in May, and if he hadn’t quit, the panel would have fired him.