A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation into an indecent exposure allegation made against Jonathan Creswell in 2016 was inadequate and failed the victim, the Police Ombudsman has found.
Creswell, a showjumping trainer and the partner of Katie Simpson's sister, died by suicide in 2024 while on trial for the 2020 murder of 21-year-old Katie Simpson, a charge he denied.
Investigation into 2016 Complaint
The Police Ombudsman's office received a complaint from a woman who raised concerns about how police handled a report she made alleging Creswell had exposed himself to her. The indecent exposure incident was reported to have occurred in October 2015 at a horse yard, with the complaint filed in January 2016.
Nikki Davis, director of investigations for the Police Ombudsman, stated that "police failed the complainant, both as a woman and as a victim." Davis emphasized the seriousness of indecent exposure, noting that it can indicate a potential for escalating sexual offending and requires robust investigation. She added that a failure to properly investigate such reports can discourage victims from coming forward, allow offenders to reoffend, and undermine efforts to combat sexual violence against women and girls.
The PSNI acknowledged the findings, stating that "the actions of the officers involved did not meet the expectations of the PSNI or the victim."