MICHAEL ATKINS OF CULLOMPTON CAUGHT DOWNLOADING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN DEVON AND CORNWALL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Michael Atkins, a long-serving police officer from Cullompton, was found to have engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of child abuse images while on duty. The incident came to light in September 2020 when Atkins was caught in an undercover operation conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Atkins, aged 54, who had dedicated over three decades of his life to law enforcement, was working for the police force at the time of his arrest. His role shifted to a civilian position in August 2019, but his criminal activities spanned a period of approximately nine years. During this time, he downloaded more than 850 indecent images and videos depicting child abuse, a revelation that has sent ripples through the community and raised serious questions about oversight within the force.

The police operation that led to Atkins’s arrest involved covert messaging with an undercover officer. The officer posed as someone involved in child abuse, claiming to be abusing his own daughter. According to court proceedings, Atkins engaged in conversations with the officer, attempting to persuade him to bring the child to Devon for further abuse. This exchange was instrumental in establishing Atkins’s guilt and was a key factor in the subsequent legal proceedings.

Following his arrest, Atkins appeared at Exeter Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of distributing indecent images of children and three counts of making such images. The court heard that Atkins’s actions were deliberate and ongoing over nearly a decade, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior that starkly contrasted with his professional role as a police officer.

Judge Timothy Rose sentenced Atkins to a two-year suspended prison term, reflecting the severity of his crimes but also considering his long service and guilty plea. Additionally, Atkins was placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which grants authorities the ability to monitor his internet activity closely. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community service and 35 days of rehabilitation programs. He was also required to pay costs amounting to £425.

Judge Rose emphasized the gravity of Atkins’s misconduct, stating, “You knew at every moment the illegality of what you were doing and the harm which it contributed to in terms of the abuse of children. All the while there was the hypocrisy of somebody who was in a position where you were employed to prevent crime but underneath your professional role you were committing crime week in, week out over nine years.” The case has sparked widespread concern about the potential breaches of trust and the importance of vigilance within law enforcement agencies.