GRANT THOMAS HORRIFIC CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL IN HORNCHURCH AND LONDON

In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Grant Thomas, a former Metropolitan Police officer based in Hornchurch, who was found guilty of serious crimes related to child exploitation. Thomas, who had been serving in the force for over two decades, was arrested on March 22 and subsequently pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving indecent images of children.

Thomas, aged 40 at the time, was attached to the Metropolitan Police's training division. His arrest and guilty plea revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, including the creation, distribution, and possession of indecent images of minors. The charges against him included three counts of making indecent photographs of children, two counts of distributing such images, one count of possessing extreme pornographic material, and one count of publishing an obscene article.

The evidence presented in court was particularly alarming, with authorities uncovering 698 images classified as Category A, the most severe classification. These images depicted penetrative sexual acts and sadistic activities involving young children, highlighting the gravity of Thomas's offenses.

Following his guilty plea, Thomas was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on August 4. He received two suspended sentences: one of 18 months and another of two years, both suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, a requirement that will remain in place for ten years.

Thomas's misconduct led to his immediate dismissal from the Metropolitan Police. The internal Special Case Misconduct Hearing took place on June 16, shortly after his guilty plea on May 5, confirming his removal from the force. His name will be listed on the sex offenders register for a decade, serving as a stark reminder of the breach of trust and the severity of his crimes.

In his online profile, Thomas described himself as a police officer with twenty years of service, primarily within the Greater London area. His career included twelve years in response teams, four years involved in armed policing and aviation security, with some overlap between these roles. He participated in the armed policing operations during the 2012 Olympic Games and was responsible for training and developing staff within his organization.

Thomas joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1996, gaining extensive experience in front-line response policing, public order management, firearms operations, personal safety training, emergency life support, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Despite his long service, his actions have cast a dark shadow over his career and the trust placed in law enforcement officers to protect the community.