Policeman is facing jail after lying about convictions to get job at vape shop

A former police officer who lied about his past convictions to get a job in a vape shop is facing jail.

Lee Rackham, 44, applied for a job in a vape shop, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in July 2019.

Rackham was jailed for three years in 2014 for sexually assaulting four vulnerable women while he was in uniform and working for Humberside Police.

Lee Rackham, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation and one of breaching a SHPO and now faces a possible jail sentence

He was locked-up for five years in 2009 for attempting to rape a woman. Rackham was made to sign the Sex Offenders' Register as part of his sentences, NCJ Media reported.

However, Rackham failed to declare his previous convictions despite being asked in the interview, South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court heard.

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which banned him from working unsupervised with lone women.

Rackham, of Annitsford, near Cramlington, Northumberland, worked with a lone woman in the vape shop 'on a number of occasions' in September of the same year.

He pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation and one of breaching a SHPO and now faces a possible jail sentence.

Jame Long, prosecuting, said that the offences in 2014 pre-dated the 2009 convictions.

The company boss later told the police, if he had known about Rackham's previous convictions, he would not have hired him.

Mr Long said that the defendant worked with a female colleague 'certainly some of the time'.

He added: 'There was a store room at the back of the store, a shared toilet and a stock room and, in that area, one would be hidden from public view.'

Paul Donoghue, defending, said the defendant had hoped not to work alone with the female and hadn't intended to.

Rackham failed to declare his previous convictions despite being asked in the interview, South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard

He added that Rackham was attempting to move on and make a life for himself and found himself 'in an almost impossible situation'.

He said: 'The fraud, he accepts he was asked if he had previous convictions. Heknew that, if he said yes and they were sexual assaults and misconduct in a public office offences, he may well not have bothered applying.

'Having failed a number of times, he decided not to disclose them.'

Mr Donoghue said Rackham was found out because of his honesty about his new job with his offender manager.

Rackham was released from prison in 2012 and changed his name to Kershaw.

In 2014, he was questioned by the police following four allegations which were made against him dating back to 2008.

The court in 2014 was told that Rackham sexually assaulted the women at home after using his uniform and police car to gain their trust.

Magistrates committed Rackham to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence after deeming their powers insufficient to finalise the case.

Rackham was released on unconditional bail to next appear there on August 26.