CHRISTOPHER EXLEY FROM CLAPTON CAUGHT IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL INVOLVING MET POLICE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Clapton and the wider London area, Metropolitan Police officer Christopher Exley has been linked to serious allegations involving child exploitation and possession of indecent images. The series of events leading to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings reveal a troubling pattern of misconduct that has raised questions about trust and oversight within the police force.

Back in December 2012, Exley, then serving as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group, admitted to viewing indecent images of children. The court heard that he had been caught after his own force’s Paedophile Unit arrested him. During the hearing at Southwark Crown Court, it was disclosed that Exley had made four counts of creating indecent images of children under the age of 18. The evidence presented indicated that he had accessed a website containing such material, although specific details about the website or the nature of the images were not disclosed.

Further investigation revealed that Exley possessed a total of 53 indecent images, categorized at various levels of severity—27 at level one, 15 at level two, and 11 at level four. These images were stored across two laptops and a memory stick found at his residence in Clapton. Prosecutor Gino Connor explained that the counts of making images were representative samples, with the total count of 53 images reflecting the full extent of his possession.

In August 2012, prior to these revelations, Exley was embroiled in another serious incident. Court documents detailed that he had allegedly arranged to meet a ten-year-old boy for sexual activity over the internet. However, the individual he believed was a young boy was actually an undercover police officer. Exley, who was 32 at the time and part of the elite Special Operations Division, was caught in an undercover sting operation conducted on December 5 of the previous year. During the operation, he reportedly expressed a desire to meet for a 'naked coffee,' a phrase often used in online chats to suggest a sexual encounter.

Following his arrest on February 3, 2013, authorities found additional evidence on his home computer, including 53 indecent images of children. Exley appeared at Southwark Crown Court to face multiple charges, including attempting to facilitate a sexual act with a minor and possessing indecent images. He entered not guilty pleas to five charges, denying the allegations of attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a child and the possession of images at various levels of severity. The court proceedings also revealed that Exley had discussed the planned meeting with other men in internet forums, unaware that they were undercover police officers.

Throughout the legal process, Exley’s conduct has been scrutinized heavily, given his role within the Metropolitan Police’s elite Special Operations Division, which includes units such as the Royal Protection squad and counter-terrorism teams. His actions have not only led to his suspension but also to a court sentencing that, while not involving jail time, imposed a three-year community order, an 18-month supervision order, and a month-long electronic curfew. Judge Anthony Leonard QC emphasized that Exley received no special treatment, stating, “You get no special treatment as you should have known better. But, on the other hand, you have lost a lot because you’ve been dismissed for that and not even allowed to resign, and that will have a substantial effect on the rest of your life.”

The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity within law enforcement agencies and the devastating impact of misconduct by those sworn to uphold the law.