DANIEL CARLSON

FORMER HAMPSHIRE PCSO WHO BELIEVED HE WAS SENDING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO A MINOR AVOIDS JAIL

A man who formerly served as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) was spared prison after believing he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl in sexually explicit messages.

Daniel Carlson, aged 29, engaged in online conversations on social media, including Snapchat, during July and August this year, under the false impression that he was talking to a minor.

Hampshire Constabulary stated that Carlson exchanged messages and made repeated offers to pay for explicit images.

It was later revealed that the profile was part of a police sting, operated by an officer.

Carlson admitted to two counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor and two counts of trying to incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to carry out sexual activity at Bournemouth Crown Court.

He was sentenced to an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including 20 days of rehabilitation, 200 hours of unpaid work, and placement on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

Previously, he worked as a PCSO in Winchester but has since been dismissed from the police service.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya condemned Carlson’s actions, noting that such conduct is unacceptable within society and law enforcement, and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to child protection and taking prompt action against offenders.