What started as a casual chat on Tinder quickly spiraled into something disturbing and deeply unsettling.
A woman hoping for a simple conversation instead found herself on the receiving end of horrific threats—from a man who turned out to be a serving police officer.
The case, now heard in court, echoes the devastating memory of Sarah Everard’s murder, leaving the victim shaken and the public questioning how such behaviour can still exist within the police force.
A Shocking Threat from a Serving Officer
Andrew Holmes, a 32-year-old officer with Hampshire Police, met the woman through the dating app Tinder in August last year.
Their conversation took a horrifying turn when he sent her messages saying that if they met up, he would kidnap, rape, murder, and burn her body.
Given that he had also told her he was a police officer, the woman immediately reported the disturbing comments to authorities.
A Victim Left Rattled and Fearful
At first, the victim didn’t grasp the full impact of what had happened.
In a statement shared in court, she admitted she initially thought she wasn’t deeply affected.
But once it was confirmed that Holmes really was a police officer, the gravity of the situation hit her hard. “It really shook me up,” she said.
The rape threat, in particular, made her feel deeply vulnerable—especially as such risks are sadly familiar to many women using dating platforms.
“I Just Couldn’t Believe a Police Officer Could Say That”
Reflecting on the exchange, the woman called Holmes’ comments “vulgar and disgusting,” and admitted she hoped at first he was lying about being in law enforcement.
“I don’t know why he felt he could say these things to me,” she said, revealing that she hasn’t returned to any dating sites since the incident and doesn’t plan to.
The experience left her confidence bruised and her sense of safety badly shaken.
Arrest, Search, and a Hidden Weapon
Holmes was arrested at his Southampton home just two days later, on August 18.
During the search, officers found a police-issue extendable baton in his bedside drawer—equipment he was not authorized to have at home.
Holmes denied sending a menacing message, claiming it was meant as a “joke,” but he did admit to possessing the illegal baton.
Sacked After Trial, But Spared Jail Time
After being found guilty of sending offensive communications and possessing an offensive weapon, Holmes was fired from the police following a misconduct hearing.
Although he avoided jail, District Judge Mike Snow didn’t mince words during sentencing.
The judge told Holmes it was “astonishing” that he believed those kinds of threats could be acceptable—especially in light of the Sarah Everard tragedy.
Judge Condemns Holmes’ “Appalling” Comments
“You were a serving police officer when you sent those messages,” the judge said, adding that referencing rape, murder, and burning a body in such a way was deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.
He emphasized how much it had affected the victim, who has since sworn off online dating out of fear she might encounter someone similar again.
Defence: “He’s Remorseful and Not a Threat”
Holmes’ lawyer, Rosa Bennathan, argued that he had a previously clean record and was deeply remorseful.
She said he apologized quickly after the woman reacted negatively to his messages and stressed he wasn’t a danger to the public.
She also claimed the baton was mistakenly taken home as a “spare” and simply forgotten about.
Trying to Rebuild His Life
Despite everything, Holmes is now reportedly trying to rebuild a relationship with a woman named Sarah Hocking, whom he met online eight years ago.
Hocking described him as “kind and supportive,” and they’re said to be discussing moving back in together and possibly starting a family.
Sentencing and Police Reaction
Holmes received a six-week prison sentence, but it was suspended for 12 months.
He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim £500 in compensation.
Additionally, he was fined £200 for the illegal baton, plus £154 in victim surcharge and £650 in prosecution costs.
Hampshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson issued a damning statement: “It is inconceivable that a police officer could think such comments were ever appropriate,” he said.
While Holmes may not have intended harm, Rowlinson stressed that such behavior seriously undermines public trust—especially among women and girls.
A Grim Reminder of the Work Still to Be Done
This case serves as yet another grim reminder that the culture within some parts of policing still requires serious change.
It also underscores the very real fears that many women face simply trying to date in the digital age—fears that, in this case, were worsened by someone sworn to protect the public.