A POLICE officer who pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children has been handed an 18-month community order.

Christopher Douglas Groom, aged 41 of Malton, was dealt with at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (June 14).

The ex-North Yorkshire Police Hambleton and Richmond response officer admitted making 8,707 Category C indecent photographs of children between December 3, 2014 and November 14, 2021.

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Category C includes lower-level indecent images of children, with Category B and Category A amounting to more serious offences.

Groom, who has been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for five years and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, must complete 30 rehabilitation days with Safer Lives and do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He been suspended from duty since his arrest on December 16, 2021.

An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing (AMH) will now be considered by the Chief Constable and the Professional Standards Department.

Groom, of Main Street, Claxton, resigned from North Yorkshire ahead of his first court appearance on May 18.

Deputy Chief Constable Mabs Hussain said: “North Yorkshire Police demands the highest level of integrity from our officers and staff.

“This is essential to ensure the communities we are proud to serve have complete trust in their police service.

“The abhorrent and criminal actions of Groom have betrayed that public trust and he has betrayed North Yorkshire Police.”

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Detective Sergeant Steve Alderson, of the online abuse and exploitation team, said: “From our investigation, including an extensive digital forensic examination of devices used exclusively by the defendant, we were able to establish beyond any doubt that Christopher Douglas Groom had actively sought out and viewed a significant number of child sexual abuse images.

“We were able to recover 8,707 Category C indecent photographs of children which were made between December 2014 and November 2021.

“There were no other offences identified during the investigation and all safeguarding efforts have been made to mitigate potential risks to young people.”

DS Alderson added: “The fact that Groom was a serving North Yorkshire Police officer made no difference to how we conducted the investigation.

“He was treated the same as any other member of the public who become subject to a criminal inquiry and court proceedings.

“This case shows the determination of North Yorkshire Police to secure justice against those involved in indecent images of children offences, no matter who they are.”

 

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