Undercover Officer’s Deception: A 19-Year Secret Unveiled
An undercover police officer maintained a false identity to manipulate a woman into a nearly two-decade-long intimate relationship, ultimately fathering a child with her. Shockingly, at the time, he was married to another woman, as revealed by a public inquiry.
Deceit from the Start
The officer concealed his true identity and profession throughout his relationship with the first woman, who has been identified by the pseudonym Gabriella. He even used his fictitious name on their son’s birth certificate.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
It wasn’t until 2020 that Gabriella learned the truth: her partner was indeed a police officer who had been lying to her for 19 years. At that time, she was engaged to him, having started their relationship in 2001 under the impression that he was a businessman.
Impact on All Involved
This incident marks one of the longest-documented deceptions involving an undercover officer and a member of the public. The Guardian had disclosed this troubling story two years earlier. Recent inquiries have revealed that during the time he deceived Gabriella, the officer was still married to another woman.
Affected Lives
Both women involved have been left emotionally devastated. Gabriella, who has chosen to remain silent publicly, is described by her family as a mere “shadow of the person we used to know.” Her family has also felt the emotional toll of this betrayal, given the officer’s close relationship with them.
Aftershocks of Betrayal
The officer’s second wife, referred to as Esther, was informed in 2021 about the relationship he had with Gabriella and the existence of their child. The revelation had a significant impact on Esther’s life and well-being, which she is still struggling to adjust to, according to the inquiry’s findings.
The Unknown Timeline
Details surrounding the duration of Esther’s marriage to the undercover officer, whose name remains undisclosed, are unclear. The couple is now divorced as the inquiry seeks to unravel the complexities of this remarkable case.
Broader Investigations
Retired judge Sir John Mitting is leading the inquiry, which is scrutinizing the deployment of undercover operatives who infiltrated over 1,000 political groups from 1968 to at least 2010. It is noteworthy that about 25 undercover officers, nearly a fifth of those operating within political movements, formed intimate relationships with unsuspecting individuals without revealing their true identities.
Shifting Focus
As the inquiry progresses, it will eventually investigate more about undercover operations involving criminal gangs. Interestingly, the officer in question was not involved in political espionage but was assigned to gather intelligence on criminal activities.
An Apology Offered
The Avon and Somerset Constabulary, which deployed the officer, has extended an apology to Gabriella, clarifying that she was not involved in any criminal activity and had no connection to the officer’s deployment. Previously, the Guardian referred to her using the pseudonym Mary.
