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The Police Ombudsman has revealed significant shortcomings in the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) investigation into a 2016 complaint of indecent exposure against Jonathan Creswell. Creswell, who was on trial for the 2020 murder of 21-year-old Katie Simpson—a charge he denied—died by suicide in 2024 during the trial. The Ombudsman’s review found that the handling of the indecent exposure allegation failed to meet acceptable standards and let down the victim.
Jonathan Creswell, known as a showjumping trainer and the partner of Katie Simpson’s sister, was accused of exposing himself to a woman at a horse yard in October 2015. The complainant reported the incident to police in January 2016. However, the Ombudsman criticised the police investigation, noting that the officers failed to collect comprehensive witness statements and neglected to listen to a threatening voicemail from Creswell. The file prepared for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) also contained inaccuracies, such as wrongly asserting that Creswell had no prior history beyond minor traffic offenses, although he had previously been convicted of violent offenses against a woman.
Further examination highlighted that the police officers involved did not adequately pursue leads to locate Creswell, despite information suggesting he was living in County Donegal and regularly crossing into Northern Ireland. They also did not engage with the Irish police force to assist with the search. Meanwhile, communication with the complainant was insufficient, leaving her unaware of the status of the investigation. The Ombudsman’s investigation underscored that the officers failed to consider Creswell’s past violent behavior as relevant to the indecent exposure case, a critical oversight given the nature of the offense and risks of reoffending.
In response to these failings, the Police Ombudsman recommended disciplinary action against the two officers responsible for the investigation due to their inadequate inquiry and poor communication with the victim. Although the PSNI reviewed the case, it opted to address the issues by implementing measures aimed at improving officer conduct rather than formal discipline. The PSNI acknowledged that the officers’ performance did not meet expectations and emphasised its commitment to a victim-centred approach, while continuing to cooperate with the Ombudsman. This investigation comes in the broader context of criticism directed at the PSNI following a review into Katie Simpson’s death, which highlighted systemic failures and “institutional misogyny” within the police service
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