Jail for man who sent threats to rape victim

OFFENDER WAS EMPLOYED AS COURT CUSTODY OFFICER

- By CARL EVE

A MAN employed as a custody officer for Serco has been jailed after a jury found him guilty of using information he had heard in court to then contact a rape victim, accuse her of lying and threaten to publicly name her.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court unanimously found 25-year-old John Colmer guilty following trial of misconduct in public office last week.

Colmer, of Cayley Way, Plymouth, had been employed by the security firm, Serco, as a prison escort custody officer, tasked with escorting defendants in the dock and remaining there while court cases were held.

The shocking case came about during the course of a long and controversial trial at Plymouth Crown Court during August 2024, which saw three men accused of grooming and raping vulnerable Plymouth girls.