A police officer has admitted to sending offensive messages containing homophobic, racist, sexist, and transphobic content, claiming he did so to “fit in” with colleagues.
A misconduct hearing revealed that PC Gareth Horton exchanged messages with another officer while serving in Merseyside Police between March and July 2023. These messages contained “homophobic and violent overtones,” as well as discriminatory remarks against multiple protected groups.
Horton, who transferred to Dyfed-Powys Police in October 2023, expressed deep regret over his actions. “I am so remorseful,” he said. “This does not represent my true character. It’s ignorance and stupidity on my behalf.”
However, the hearing’s chairman, Ian Arundale, stated that the messages indicated a “pattern of behaviour” that targeted groups protected under the Equality Act. As a result, Horton was dismissed and barred from serving in the police force.
The offensive messages surfaced during an investigation into another officer. They included homophobic insults about TV presenter Phillip Schofield and comments about a transphobic advert. Horton had responded to multiple messages with discriminatory remarks and laughing emojis.
Katherine Hampshire, representing the police force, stated that public trust would have been severely damaged had the messages been made public.
“You behaved in a manner that would discredit the police service and undermine public confidence,” she said. “Given the seriousness, the only outcome would be dismissal.”
Horton’s defence barrister, Susan Ferrier, argued that he had been fully transparent and remorseful. “This is a young man who knows he has behaved badly and has done everything within his power to make amends,” she said.
Ferrier also criticised the “unusual and irregular” handling of the misconduct process, suggesting that a final written warning would have been a more appropriate sanction.
