A disgraced former police officer who abused his position of power to pursue sexual relationships with several victims of crime, including a 15-year-old girl, has avoided jail.
Jayden Faure, 29, pleaded guilty to four charges of misconduct in public office and one charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice in April, after he admitted to forming relationships with four women who had sought police assistance, then attempting to cover it up.
He was sentenced to a three-year community corrections order in the County Court of Victoria by Judge Daniel Holding, who described the disgraced officer's actions as "deplorable".
The court heard Faure, who resigned from the force in 2019, had sex with a woman who had originally reached out to police after experiencing suicidal thoughts while on a train.
Upon her release from a psychiatric ward, Faure arranged for her to go to police headquarters where they had sex in a sleeping bag.
The woman later told the court she felt disgusted and panicky over the encounter.
"Instead of assistance, I feel as if I was preyed upon," she said.
Another victim was 15 years old when she sought help after being assaulted in Melbourne's CBD.
Faure, who worked for transit safety command at the time, accompanied the teenager back to a police station and gave her his police card, despite not being the officer in charge of the case.
The court heard he called her a dozen times over the following month, while also sending her regular messages on Snapchat that had a "sexual overtone". The pair never met again in person.
A third complainant met Faure after she contacted police over a missing wallet. The disgraced cop recorded a video of the two of them having sex together, before sending it to a friend without her consent.
"F***, you're a funny c***. Camera work is impressive," his friend messaged.
"Oscar?" Faure replied.
The woman told the court on Tuesday she believed Faure was "a good person at heart" who made a few "stupid mistakes".
'Predatory' Faure avoids jail term with three-year community corrections order
Faure's crimes came to light when one of the women revealed to her counsellor they had sex.
When the police opened an investigation, the former officer enlisted the help of a friend to convince two of the women to refuse to cooperate with authorities.
In sentencing, Judge Holding said Faure's behaviour was "predatory", and he had targeted women who were "extremely vulnerable".
"You abused your position to manipulate them for your own sexual gratification," he said.
He said it was also clear that Faure knew what he was doing was wrong, by attempting to cover it up.
But Judge Holding also told the court Faure was unlikely to re-offend, and had expressed remorse. He said the 29-year-old also came from a "traumatic background".
Faure must complete 370 hours of unpaid community service as part of the three-year community corrections order, while also undertaking treatment and rehabilitation.
Attempting to pervert the course of justice holds a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, while misconduct in public office holds a maximum sentence of 10 years.
