A serving police officer who is accused of serious offenses against three women allegedly used restraint techniques he learned as part of his job against one complainant and put a knife to another’s cheek, he has heard a court
PC Matthew Tregale, 33, an officer from Devon and Cornwall, was remanded in custody charged with 10 offences, including sexual assault, attempted rape, false imprisonment and coercive behaviour.
Tregale’s defense team indicated he would plead not guilty to the alleged crimes, which are said to have taken place between 2005 and 2021.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the alleged offenses took place while he was off duty and he had subsequently been suspended from the force.
But Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram was told that Tregale, who appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Call the Cops, continued to work as a responding officer until nine months ago and was only suspended after being charged.
Tregale was charged with eight crimes between 2005 and 2010 against a woman, including sexual assault, attempted rape and false imprisonment.
He also faces two charges relating to her under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. He is alleged to have pinned her against a wall by the throat on one occasion, held a knife to her cheek in another and used restraint techniques against her. He also allegedly held her against her will.
In addition, he is accused of controlling or coercive behavior against a second woman between 2015-20. The indictment alleged he used “police restraint techniques,” threw objects at her and threatened to push her down a flight of stairs.
Tregale allegedly engaged in controlling or coercive behavior against a third woman. This allegedly included threats to reveal private information about her and criminal damage to some of her possessions.
Ikram, who heard the case from Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London via video link, ordered the officer to appear at Exeter Crown Court on August 25.