Ex-head of Britain's police watchdog denies repeatedly raping 14-year-old girl while working as a lifeguard in the 1980s
- Michael Lockwood, 65, accused of carrying out offences at Hull sports centre
The former head of Britain's police watchdog has today denied repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl while he was working as a lifeguard in the 1980s.
Michael Lockwood, 65, is said to have carried out the offences when he was a part-time lifeguard and fitness instructor at a sports centre in Hull.
He stood down as director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct In December 2022 when Humberside Police began a criminal investigation.
Lockwood appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday and denied six counts of indecent assault and three offences of rape involving a girl under the age of 16.
The offences are said to have taken place between October 1985 and March 1986 when Lockwood was in his mid-twenties.
Former IOPC director Michael Lockwood, 64, arrives at the Old Bailey in central London, where he is charged with six counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape against a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s
Lockwood, wearing a black suit and burgundy tie, sat outside the dock due to a shortage of dock officers.
A two to three week trial date is set for 1 July at the Old Bailey.
Prosecutor Mark Langan earlier said: 'These offences stem from the end of 1985 and early 1986. At the time the complainant had just turned 14 and the defendant was 25.
'The complainant described meeting the defendant at the local sports centre in Hull where Lockwood was employed as a part-time lifeguard and fitness instructor.'
Lockwood would drive the complainant home in his car and kiss and touch her breast, it is claimed.
He allegedly took the girl to the staff storeroom where he would encourage the teenager to perform sexual acts.
The complainant reported the offences to the police early last year.
Lockwood denied to police having any sexual contact or interaction with the complainant but accepted he did work at the sport centre during that period of time.
Mr Lockwood, of Epsom, Surrey, denies the offences he is accused of carrying out at a sports centre in Hull where he worked as a part-time lifeguard and fitness instructor
Married father-of-two Lockwood took up the £190,000 IOPC post in January 2018, with his five-year contract due to finish at the end of 2022.
He had stepped down as news of the investigation was made public and said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that I have decided to resign as director general of the IOPC for personal and domestic reasons, and this will be effective from today.'
Lockwood, of Arundel Avenue, Epson, Surrey, denies six counts of indecent assault and three of rape.
He remains on unconditional bail.
