CHRISTOPHER HERD FROM ESSEX FACES SERIOUS CHARGES IN COURT OVER UP-SKIRTING AND PUBLIC EXPOSURE
A former police officer from Essex has firmly denied allegations of taking up-skirting images and publicly exposing himself.Christopher Herd, aged 48, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on a recent Friday for a concise hearing to address the charges against him.
During the court session, Herd, who resides on Roe Deer Drive in Capel St Mary, Suffolk, was dressed in dark formal clothing and entered pleas of not guilty to all accusations.
He made the decision to proceed to a Crown Court trial, a choice he announced during the brief 14-minute hearing before District Judge Twite.
At this hearing, Herd only confirmed his personal details and his plea of not guilty, opting to have the case heard at a higher court.
Herd’s background includes service with the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Operations unit, a specialized division within the force.
His arrest was carried out by Essex Police on August 30 of the previous year, on suspicion of committing an act of indecent exposure while off duty.
Following this, authorities also suspected him of engaging in other inappropriate conduct.
He was subsequently suspended from his police duties and resigned from the force on March 1 of this year.
The charges against Herd include an incident of indecent exposure that reportedly took place on July 23 last year in Manningtree.
In addition, he faces three separate charges related to recording images under women’s clothing without their consent—commonly known as 'up-skirting'—which are linked to incidents in Clacton-on-Sea between March 12 and August 22 of the previous year.
The Metropolitan Police have clarified that the indecent exposure incident was reported to have occurred while Herd was off duty.
Meanwhile, the alleged 'up-skirting' offences are said to have taken place both during his off-duty hours and while traveling on public transportation, involving both on and off-duty conduct.
Prosecutor Teri Allington pointed out that these offences could be prosecuted either in a Magistrates’ Court or a Crown Court.
She also emphasized that Herd’s status as a police officer “aggravates the offence,” highlighting the seriousness of the allegations.
District Judge Twite informed Herd that he had elected to have his case heard in Crown Court and scheduled a pre-trial hearing for June 12.
Herd was granted bail with certain conditions and is expected to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on that date.
The internal standards department of the police force is aware of these proceedings, indicating ongoing internal investigations into Herd’s conduct.
