Sheffield police officer who had sexual relationship with victim of crime pleads guilty
On the day his trial was due to open, a student police officer who had a sexual relationship with a crime victim has pleaded guilty.
A 45-year-old student police officer who had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female victim of crime has pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.
In September 2024, Robert Veza was arrested and suspended from duties following a report to the force’s Professional Standards Department which launched an investigation.
He was serving on a Sheffield neighbourhood policing team in 2023 when he first contacted the victim to discuss a crime she had reported.
Over the following months, Veza instigated an inappropriate sexual relationship that continued into the summer of 2024.
In February 2026, he was summonsed to court to face the charge of misconduct in a public office, where he initially denied the offence.
On Monday, September 28, the day his trial was due to open at Sheffield Crown Court, he pleaded guilty. Veza is now due to be sentenced on Wednesday, October 14.
Veza was in his probation period with the force at the time of his offending, and resigned in January of this year.
South Yorkshire Police report that an internal misconduct investigation has been going alongside the criminal proceedings, and following his guilty plea this will now progress despite his resignation.
Police stated: “We will root out any officers, staff members or volunteers who fail to reflect the values of our organisation and fall below the standards members of the public rightly expect.
“If you have concerns about a member of our workforce who you believe is taking advantage of their role and abusing their position of power - for financial or sexual motivation, or motivated by hatred or prejudice - please contact us.”
If you prefer not to deal with South Yorkshire Police directly, you can use Crimestoppers’ Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service through their website or by calling 0800 085 0000.