A serving West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman more than 20 years ago, before he joined the force.

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been convicted of raping a woman in 2002, more than two decades before she came forward to report the offence.

PC Jo Lavender, 45, was found guilty of one count of rape following a trial at York Crown Court.

Lavender, who was working in Leeds District at the time of his suspension, committed the offence in 2002, three years before joining West Yorkshire Police in 2005.

The victim reported the rape in December 2024, having lived with the trauma of the offence for more than 20 years.

Following the conviction, West Yorkshire Police confirmed that misconduct proceedings would continue, with the force seeking to ensure Lavender is barred from working in policing in the future.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “The victim has lived with the trauma of what PC Lavender did to her for two decades before coming forward to report this offence in 2024.

“I would like to express my admiration for the bravery she has shown. I do not underestimate the courage it takes to report something like this, and even more so knowing that by that time the man responsible was a police officer.

“If anyone has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence, I would urge them to please report it. Please know that we will listen and we will act, it doesn’t matter who the perpetrator is or where they may work.

“Following this court case, we will now continue with misconduct proceedings to ensure PC Lavender is barred from working in any role in policing in the future.”

Lavender is due to be sentenced at York Crown Court on Tuesday (Nov 3).