A serving police officer – caught by his own force’s anti-child porn squad – has destroyed his promising career by downloading sick images of children.
Sergeant Darren Dearling, who served in the City of Westminster, was caught by the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court (pictured) to 12 counts of making indecent images of children and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years and made subject to a two-year supervision order.
As part of a pro-active operation officers raided Dearling’s home on March 22, last year when he was arrested and computer equipment seized.
On August 9 he was charged with the 12 counts of making indecent images of children and was bailed to appear at West London Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
Dearling has been suspended from duties since his arrest.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: “This sends a clear message, that the MPS are totally committed to identifying and prosecuting anyone who possesses or trades indecent images of children.
“Each image or movie represents a child who has been abused, and the MPS will continue to work tirelessly to bring anyone who is in any way involved in the abuse of children to justice.”
Commander Peter Spindler, of the Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “Criminal behaviour of this abhorrent nature by any of our employees will be dealt with swiftly and firmly.
“Now the judicial process has concluded, we will be convening a gross misconduct hearing against this officer, who is a discredit to himself and the service.”
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