SENIOR FIREFIGHTER JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND OFFERING VOUCHERS TO MEET BABY
A senior fire safety officer who offered a paedophile Amazon vouchers in exchange for access to a one-year-old has been jailed.Darren Hunt, 50, who worked for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, discussed the meeting online with Henry Ogden from Cumbria.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) began investigating after a tip-off from Twitter.
Hunt admitted sexual offences against children and was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
Ogden, 29, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, received 31 months after admitting five charges of publishing obscene material.
The court heard Hunt, described as a 'respectable' family man and a high-ranking officer, started communicating with Ogden in March last year.
During their three-month correspondence, Hunt asked Ogden for access to a toddler.
Ogden, a father, said he could not arrange a meeting but offered a meeting with a one-year-old baby instead.
Hunt inquired if the mother would be present and if Amazon vouchers were acceptable as payment.
Officials from the NCA found over 60 images of abused children on Hunt's phone and computer, with the youngest being three months old.
Both men were charged in June.
Hunt pleaded guilty to making or possessing indecent images of children and of arranging, facilitating, and commissioning a child sexual offence.
The judge described the case as 'horrifying,' emphasizing the exploitation of children by 'evil men,' and condemned Hunt's actions as 'shocking' and 'truly appalling.' The fire service confirmed Hunt was suspended when the allegations arose last year and was dismissed in September after pleading guilty.
Hunt had no contact with children in his official role, and his operating business was closed following the offences.
