HIGH WYCOMBE POLICE OFFICER EDWARD ATTWELL CAUGHT HIDING CHILD PORN IN CAT LITTER TRAY

In a disturbing case that unfolded in High Wycombe, police officer Edward Attwell found himself at the center of a child sexual abuse investigation that revealed shocking details about his online activities and attempts to conceal evidence. The incident began when detectives, armed with a search warrant, arrived at Attwell's family home to confront him over allegations involving indecent images of minors.

Despite knocking on his door for over half an hour, Attwell did not respond initially. Neighbors were contacted to gather information, and it was only after his wife returned home that officers gained entry into the residence. Upon entering, they found Attwell in a state of visible distress, along with his children present in the house. The police had previously seized his mobile phone, which they believed was connected to the online activity they were investigating.

During the search, officers discovered that Attwell had taken drastic measures to hide evidence. He had reset his mobile device to factory settings in an apparent attempt to erase incriminating data. More startlingly, they uncovered his laptop concealed beneath a layer of cat litter in the family’s pet’s litter tray. The laptop was hidden beneath the excrement, indicating a frantic effort to conceal it from authorities.

Further investigation revealed that Attwell had engaged in child sex forums and online chatrooms, specifically using the Kik messaging app. Just days before the raid, on September 7, 2017, he shared an indecent image of a young girl after a user in the chat requested a picture of his daughter. It was clarified in court that the image was not of his own child but of an unknown girl, fitting into Attwell’s disturbing online fantasies.

Attwell, a married man aged 43 and a serving officer with the Metropolitan Police, was arrested and taken into custody. During questioning, he eventually admitted to the location of the laptop, which the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit had not initially found. The evidence was conclusive, linking his phone and laptop, and confirming his involvement in sharing indecent images.

It was also revealed that Attwell had attempted to take his own life multiple times, highlighting the severe personal turmoil he was experiencing. Despite this, he acknowledged his problematic behavior with obscene material and expressed a desire to address his issues.

In court, Judge Catherine Tulk sentenced Attwell to a six-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. The judge also ordered him to complete 30 days of rehabilitation and perform 100 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, he was required to pay £100 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge. The court ordered the destruction of his phone and laptop once the personal items and images stored on them had been examined.

During her sentencing remarks, Judge Tulk emphasized that Attwell’s age and position did not exempt him from accountability. She noted that his actions on September 1, 2, and 7, 2017, were driven by panic and desperation, especially after realizing the potential consequences of his online activities. The judge pointed out that his attempt to hide evidence—resetting his phone and hiding the laptop—was a clear effort to obstruct justice. She also highlighted that the indecent images and conversations he engaged in were indicative of a disturbing fantasy life, though she clarified that the images did not involve his own daughter.

Finally, the judge acknowledged the psychological assessments and pre-sentence reports, which indicated that his work-related stress and mental health issues contributed to his behavior. A Sexual Risk Order was imposed as a preventative measure, and the court found that Attwell did not pose a significant ongoing threat to the public. The judge concluded that, despite the seriousness of his actions, there was a realistic prospect for mitigation and rehabilitation, and that his prior employment did not automatically warrant a custodial sentence.