Warwickshire detective sentenced over inappropriate texts

A Warwickshire police detective has received a suspended sentence after pursuing an inappropriate relationship with a woman he met on duty.

John Littlewood, who recently retired from the force, worked as a detective constable in the force’s child abuse, trafficking, and exploitation team.

He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 30 January, and was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for 15 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community. The charge was a result of an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation which ended in December 2024.

He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of improper exercise of police powers and privileges at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 20 November 2025.

He denied a second charge in relation to another woman, a matter which will lie on file.

Littlewood met the woman in October 2021, after being assigned to investigate a report of sexual assault against the woman’s daughter.

IOPC investigators found that he exchanged more than 300 messages with the woman between May and September 2023, including many of a sexual nature.

Female X is a vulnerable woman who has clearly been manipulated by DC Littlewood. He met her while on duty and used that contact to start up a friendship which led to inappropriate contact including sexualised messages

– Derrick Campbell, Independent Office for Police Conduct Director of Engagement

The investigation also revealed that he met the woman at a Coventry hotel on 1 October 2023 for around 50 minutes, through CCTV enquiries and cell site mapping of his phone. He also paid frequent visits to the woman’s home.

IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said: “Female X is a vulnerable woman who has clearly been manipulated by DC Littlewood. He met her while on duty and used that contact to start up a friendship which led to inappropriate contact including sexualised messages.”

He continued: “The officer clearly knew his behaviour was improper as he told her to delete messages, some of which were sent while on duty, as they would get him into trouble at work.”

Littlewood will now face an accelerated gross misconduct hearing for breaching police professional standards.

Superintendent Paul Thompson Head of Professional Standards at Warwickshire Police said: “As police officers we are expected to uphold the law and protect vulnerable victims, not exploit them in this way. Littlewood’s behaviour fell way below the standards we expect and we welcome this outcome.”