A PAEDOPHILE POLICE OFFICER HAS WALKED FREE FROM COURT DESPITE DOWNLOADING 1,600 INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN.
PC Clive Hansen, based in Canvey Island, was found in possession of highly disturbing child sexual abuse images in November of the previous year.During proceedings at Ipswich Crown Court, Judge David Goodin acknowledged Hansen’s earlier display of exemplary conduct and urged him to cease viewing such material.
The 53-year-old officer from Borrowdale Close, Benfleet, had previously admitted to three counts of producing indecent images and one count of possessing illegal images of children.
He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for a year.
The court was informed that Essex Police had received a tip-off about one of their officers downloading child abuse images.
Officers raided Hansen’s home, confiscated a laptop, and arrested him upon his return from work.
Prosecutor Michael Crimp stated, "He gave no comment during his first interview.
Later he did describe how he had had a problem for a long time." Hansen was discovered with a total of 17 images in the most severe Category A, 26 in Category B, and 1,576 in Category C, along with an additional prohibited image.
Representing himself, Hansen told the court he was not contesting the charges and acknowledged that viewing the images meant he was perpetuating ongoing abuse.
He expressed remorse, stating, "I am so ashamed of what I have done.
There is no excuse.
I am so sorry for everybody that has been involved in this sad situation." He asked for the sentence to be suspended to allow him to make amends and contribute positively to the community.
He admitted to having viewed these images for approximately 11 months.
Hansen previously worked at Rayleigh police station and played a role in promoting initiatives like Horsewatch, designed to prevent animal theft, along with youth services aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour.
Judge Goodin remarked that although Hansen's possession of Category A images was limited, their presence was significant.
He acknowledged Hansen’s previous good character and noted the sincerity of his remorse, citing some factors that may have contributed to his unhealthy behaviour.
In addition to his jail sentence, Hansen was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work, issued a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, and required to register as a sex offender for the same period.
The court also imposed a 60-day rehabilitation requirement emphasizing face-to-face support to prevent relapse.
Separately, law enforcement officials acted swiftly to dismiss Hansen from the police force.
Since admitting to offences related to child abuse images in court last month, he had been suspended from duty.
A disciplinary hearing led by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh concluded that Hansen, stationed at Canvey police station, had engaged in conduct unbecoming of an officer, resulting in immediate dismissal.
Kavanagh emphasised the importance of public trust in policing, particularly in tackling crimes like child abuse imagery.
He condemned Hansen’s actions, calling the creation and possession of such images profoundly unacceptable, and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals.
"Every image harms a child, and creating or storing them is reprehensible.
Such behaviour cannot be tolerated within the police force," he stated.
