A man who previously served as a police officer has been sentenced to prison after being caught downloading indecent images of children from the internet.
Martin Wadsworth, 48 years old, formerly employed by West Mercia Police, was given an eight-month jail term and must register as a sex offender for a decade after pleading guilty to 15 counts of producing indecent images.
During the hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, authorities revealed they discovered 773 illegal images on Wadsworth’s computer.
Living on Selbourne Road in Barbourne, Worcester, Wadsworth was stationed in Evesham and retired from the police in 1990 due to health issues.
It is thought that police stumbled upon the images while investigating an unrelated complaint against him.
Officials clarified that Wadsworth’s arrest was not connected to Operation Ore, the international initiative targeting online pedophiles.
Judge David Matthew, presiding over the case, remarked that Wadsworth’s former role as a police officer implied he was aware of the severity and evil of child exploitation depicted in such images.
He added, “You are well aware that those who share this type of material sustain a demand and serve as a catalyst for abusers.”
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A man who previously served as a police officer has been sentenced to prison after being caught downloading indecent images of children from the internet. Martin Wadsworth, 48 years old, formerly employed by West Mercia Police, was given...
Prison sentence
A man who previously served as a police officer has been sentenced to prison after being caught downloading indecent images of children from the internet
Sex Offenders Register
48 years
Martin Wadsworth, 48 years old, formerly employed by West Mercia Police, was given an eight-month jail term and must register as a sex offender for a decade after pleading guilty to 15 counts of producing indecent images
