A COP who downloaded child abuse images was let off by prosecutors in another example of soft justice for paedophiles.
Sgt Gavin Kelly was arrested in July 2022 following a tip-off to the National Crime Agency by authorities in New Zealand.
Findings from the investigation into Sgt Gavin Kelly were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service but it ruled the threshold for charging was not met (file photo)[/caption]
Officers found pics and videos of children on devices at his home.
Findings were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service but it ruled the threshold for charging was not met.
Instead, he faced a Thames Valley Police disciplinary panel which concluded he would have been sacked for gross misconduct, if he had not already quit.
A subsequent investigation found he allegedly viewed, received and/or distributed more than 35 pictures involving sexual activity and featuring children and animals.
There was also evidence Kelly had taken a picture of a female officer’s cleavage which he sent to two colleagues.
Kelly, based at Loddon Valley, Berks, denied some of the claims insisting he could not recall downloading the images, possibly because he had been drinking.
But he accepted viewing five illegal images of children and keeping Category A indecent snaps on his laptop and phone, as well as bestiality pics.
He also admitted failing to report or disclose the images.
A misconduct panel found all allegations proven and Kelly has been barred from working as an officer.
The panel said: “The demand for such abhorrent material creates a market for its supply. Individuals such as Gavin Kelly are fundamental in an illicit chain with the sexual abuse of children at its core.”
After leniency towards BBC star Huw Edwards for making indecent images of children, The Sun launched our Keep Our Kids Safe campaign, demanding jail for anyone caught with the worst images.
Ex-detective Peter Bleksley said the CPS should retest the Kelly evidence, adding: “Because he is out of the police they may feel it is job done but it isn’t until justice is served for these children.
Huw Edwards, 63, got a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, for possessing indecent images of children[/caption]
