Dum dum Durham!

In 2005 police sergeant Mohammed Perwaze was tasked with helping to boost race relations in Darlington, working along with officials from the Darlington and County Durham County Racial Equality Council (DDREC).

At the time he was chairman of the force’s Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA).

So, our friend Mohammed Perwaze was a pretty key member of Darlington plods. He seems to have been a real poster boy for multi-culturalism and diversity and inclusiveness and all that kind of stuff.

But Mohammed Perwaze has allegedly been a very naughty boy. Last week, according to his local newspaper, the very same Mohammed Perwaze appeared in court accused of a string of sex offences, including five counts of rape. Mohammed Perwaze, who until last week worked as a sergeant with Durham Constabulary, faces a total of 19 charges, which are alleged to have happened between 1996 and 2016.

Perwaze was brought before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning. Wearing a black padded coat, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the hearing. Simon Clements, prosecuting, asked all the charges be sent to the crown court.

Matthew Savage, defending, made an application for bail on behalf of Perwaze.

However, the bench decided the 45-year-old should be remanded in custody until his next hearing, which will be at Durham Crown Court early next year.

Police sergeant Mohammed Perwaze is charged with: five counts of indecent assault, sexual activity with a young person, four counts of sexual assault, five counts of rape, coercive behaviour, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one count of child neglect.

Of course, these are just allegations and no wrongdoing has yet been proven. Moreover, we don’t know what religious or racial group Mohammed Perwaze belongs to. And we shouldn’t jump to any conclusions. But it does seem like a case of: Oooops!