A barrister has claimed a domestic violence victim who began a relationship with a police officer who met her on duty was not vulnerable. Ben Summers is representing PC Dean Birkhead, a serving GMP officer at a disciplinary hearing.
Mr Summers said female A, as she is referred to at the hearing, was "a powerful woman who knew her own mind". He added she was capable of making her own decsions and it was "patronising" and "deeply offensive" to assume that because she was a victim of her former husband's behaviour she was "incapable of recognising a predatory male."
He added that since she and PC Birkhead had begun the relationship they had gone on to make a life together. He dismissed the allegation that PC Birkhead had abused his position for sexual purposes.
