CHRISTOPHER WRATTEN BEXHILL-ON-SEA AND ABERDEENSHIRE POLICE OFFICER JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a disturbing case that has shocked both the local communities of Bexhill-on-Sea and Aberdeenshire, former police inspector Christopher Wratten has been convicted and sentenced for possessing indecent images of children. The revelation comes after authorities uncovered a new cache of obscene material at his residence in the north-east of Aberdeenshire, reigniting concerns about his past actions and the extent of his illegal activities.

Wratten's criminal history dates back over a decade, when he was initially caught in a nationwide crackdown targeting online child exploitation. At that time, he was serving as an inspector with Sussex Police, based in Hastings, and was found to have accessed websites offering illicit images of minors using his credit card. This early investigation was part of Operation Ore, a large-scale effort aimed at dismantling online child pornography networks.

In November 2003, Wratten, then aged 49 and residing in Bexhill-on-Sea, was brought before Lewes Crown Court. The court heard that he had downloaded nearly 100 images depicting children in various compromising and illegal situations. The evidence was gathered after police officers executed a raid on his home, uncovering more than 100 images stored on his devices. The authorities confirmed that Wratten had used his position as a police officer to access and collect these illicit materials.

Judge Richard Brown delivered a stern warning during the sentencing, emphasizing the severity of such offenses. He stated, “It has to be made clear to those who get involved in this evil and sordid activity that prison likely awaits them if they get caught. Images deleted,” the judge added, highlighting the technological efforts involved in retrieving the images. “In your working life as a distinguished police officer, you have held yourself up as someone dedicated to protecting the public. Sadly, those standards obviously lapsed once your taste for adult pornography progressed into downloading child porn.”

As a result of his conviction, Wratten was sentenced to six months in prison and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years. He will also be subject to ongoing supervision after his release. The court heard that Wratten had admitted to seven counts of making indecent images of children during a recent hearing, and it was revealed that he had downloaded the images with the intent to gather evidence, which underscores the complex nature of his actions.

Forensic experts involved in the case explained that retrieving the images required sophisticated technology, as Wratten had taken steps to delete the files. Nevertheless, the authorities were able to recover the illicit material, leading to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment. The case has raised serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers and the importance of rigorous oversight to prevent abuse of power, especially among those sworn to uphold the law.