The Police Ombudsman found failings in how officers handled a 2016 complaint that Jonathan Creswell exposed himself at a horse yard, concluding the investigation did not meet standards and missed relevant evidence.
The Ombudsman found police failed the complainant by not obtaining multiple witness statements and not reviewing a threatening voice message.
The alleged indecent exposure took place in October 2015, was reported in January 2016, and Creswell later died by suicide during a separate 2024 murder trial.
Ireland concluded the PSNI investigation into the 2016 indecent exposure allegation was inadequate and failed the complainant. Investigators identified several specific shortcomings in how officers handled the case.
Consequences in the prosecution process
Because of the incomplete file, the PPS directed there was insufficient evidence to prosecute at that time, while noting the file could be resubmitted if Creswell were later interviewed. The Ombudsman said the omission of Creswell's previous violent conviction was material because indecent exposure is a non-contact sexual offence that can indicate a pattern of escalating sexual violence.
Creswell. Police had information suggesting he might be living in County Donegal and travelling to Northern Ireland, but officers did not contact An Garda Síochána to seek assistance. The complainant also did not receive adequate updates about progress.
Officers did take some steps: they attempted to phone Creswell, visited an address linked to him, made enquiries about his equestrian activities, and placed alerts on police systems about two vehicles connected to him.
The Ombudsman submitted a misconduct file recommending disciplinary action against the two officers for failing to properly investigate and for inadequate communication with the complainant. The PSNI decided to address the issues through measures intended to improve officer conduct rather than formal discipline. One separate allegation against another officer could not be fully investigated because that officer retired during the enquiry.
Nikki Davis, director of investigations at the Police Ombudsman, said police failed the complainant both as an individual and as a victim. The Ombudsman stressed that properly investigating sexual offences matters for victims' willingness to report and for preventing repeat offending.
Ombudsman's finding, saying the actions of the officers involved did not meet PSNI or victim expectations.
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