Former PC sentenced over relationship with victim

A former award-winning police officer has been sentenced after having a "romantic relationship" with a crime victim.

Ex-Thames Valley Police (TVP) constable Ian Dring admitted one count of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable at an earlier hearing at Luton Crown Court.

He was previously honoured for being "extremely dedicated" and had been praised by the community in Abingdon for "going above and beyond the call of duty".

Dring, 50, from Abingdon, was sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

TVP said Dring, who was based in the force's South and Vale team, became "engaged in a romantic relationship with a victim in a case that he was investigating".

He was arrested in May 2023 and was charged on 30 August 2024.

Appearing at a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, he also received a mental health requirement and was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

In a Facebook post by the force in 2015, Dring is listed as the recipient of its Community Contribution of the Year award.

"Described in his nominations as being extremely dedicated, PC Dring has been praised by the residents as going above and beyond the call of duty.

"They feel that he works tirelessly to achieve results and promote community reassurance," the post said.

Dring was suspended from the force after his arrest, before being dismissed in July 2025, following a misconduct hearing.

Det Ch Supt Ailsa Kent, TVP's head of professional standards, said: "There is no place in policing for former officers such as Ian Dring and we welcome his conviction.

"This case demonstrates that the force will act swiftly to investigate and dismiss any officers who commit criminal offences."