CHRISTOPHER MAITLAND SHAMES PLYMOUTH POLICE WITH CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL
| Red Rose Database
Plymouth Rapist
In a shocking case that has rocked the community of Plymouth, Detective Constable Christopher Maitland, aged 40, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of an eight-year-old girl and the possession of a vast collection of indecent images of children. The disturbing revelations emerged during a court hearing where Maitland, who was a member of the police force’s anti-abuse unit, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses.
According to court records, Maitland, who resided in Widey View, Plymouth, had a troubling history that spanned over a decade. The crimes in question took place in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, more than ten years ago, with the collection of illicit images and videos dating from June 2005 to November 2015. The police investigation uncovered that Maitland had accessed and stored a staggering total of 818 indecent images and movies, many classified in the most severe categories, including those involving rape and other forms of sexual violence against children.
The court was told that Maitland’s laptop contained over 200 videos depicting the most serious forms of child abuse, including child rape. These videos were reportedly created through surreptitious filming, with Maitland placing cameras in locations unknown to the victims. One particularly disturbing video showed the young girl immediately after she had exited the shower, appearing wet and holding a towel, while Maitland was present in the footage. The girl was seen drying her hair and engaging in casual conversation, seemingly relaxed and happy, yet the camera zoomed in on her naked body at times, with her face often obscured. In another video, Maitland himself appeared naked, further illustrating the disturbing nature of the material stored on his devices.
During the investigation, police discovered that Maitland had used file-sharing software, specifically a peer-to-peer network, to access and download these illicit images. When questioned, Maitland initially denied downloading any such material, claiming that his role as a child protection officer meant he was committed to fighting against such crimes. He explained that he had used the software some time ago but had not done so recently, citing issues with his broadband router as a reason for any potential downloads. Despite his denials, authorities found multiple USB sticks, hard drives, a computer tower, and a laptop containing the incriminating evidence.
The court heard that Maitland had even sought to transfer to a specialized ‘paedophile unit’ within the police force, which raised serious concerns given his own criminal activities. The prosecution presented evidence of three instances where Maitland accessed the images while off duty, ultimately leading to his admission of possessing the illicit material during a court appearance at Southwark Crown Court.
The victim, an eight-year-old girl, provided a heartbreaking statement, describing how she felt she had “lost everything” and that her childhood had been “deleted.” She expressed feelings of fear and confusion, questioning whether her experiences had been real or if her abuser had shared the videos online. Her mother also delivered an impact statement, emphasizing the devastation wrought upon their family by Maitland’s actions.
Judge Martin Beddoe presided over the case and sentenced Maitland to a total of five years and four months in prison. The judge dismissed claims from Maitland’s defense that he showed “great remorse,” stating that his responses in the pre-sentence report were full of minimization and self-justification. The judge expressed concern over Maitland’s involvement in a police unit dedicated to investigating crimes against children, noting the serious breach of trust and the potential danger Maitland posed to pre-pubescent children.
Judge Beddoe highlighted the troubling nature of Maitland’s conduct, emphasizing that his actions could have caused irreparable harm to the victim and others. He pointed out that Maitland’s involvement in the police force’s child abuse investigations made his crimes even more egregious. The court also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to restrict Maitland’s future contact with children.
As the court proceedings concluded, silence fell over the courtroom as Maitland was taken into custody, facing the reality of his convictions. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Plymouth and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and integrity within law enforcement agencies.
According to court records, Maitland, who resided in Widey View, Plymouth, had a troubling history that spanned over a decade. The crimes in question took place in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, more than ten years ago, with the collection of illicit images and videos dating from June 2005 to November 2015. The police investigation uncovered that Maitland had accessed and stored a staggering total of 818 indecent images and movies, many classified in the most severe categories, including those involving rape and other forms of sexual violence against children.
The court was told that Maitland’s laptop contained over 200 videos depicting the most serious forms of child abuse, including child rape. These videos were reportedly created through surreptitious filming, with Maitland placing cameras in locations unknown to the victims. One particularly disturbing video showed the young girl immediately after she had exited the shower, appearing wet and holding a towel, while Maitland was present in the footage. The girl was seen drying her hair and engaging in casual conversation, seemingly relaxed and happy, yet the camera zoomed in on her naked body at times, with her face often obscured. In another video, Maitland himself appeared naked, further illustrating the disturbing nature of the material stored on his devices.
During the investigation, police discovered that Maitland had used file-sharing software, specifically a peer-to-peer network, to access and download these illicit images. When questioned, Maitland initially denied downloading any such material, claiming that his role as a child protection officer meant he was committed to fighting against such crimes. He explained that he had used the software some time ago but had not done so recently, citing issues with his broadband router as a reason for any potential downloads. Despite his denials, authorities found multiple USB sticks, hard drives, a computer tower, and a laptop containing the incriminating evidence.
The court heard that Maitland had even sought to transfer to a specialized ‘paedophile unit’ within the police force, which raised serious concerns given his own criminal activities. The prosecution presented evidence of three instances where Maitland accessed the images while off duty, ultimately leading to his admission of possessing the illicit material during a court appearance at Southwark Crown Court.
The victim, an eight-year-old girl, provided a heartbreaking statement, describing how she felt she had “lost everything” and that her childhood had been “deleted.” She expressed feelings of fear and confusion, questioning whether her experiences had been real or if her abuser had shared the videos online. Her mother also delivered an impact statement, emphasizing the devastation wrought upon their family by Maitland’s actions.
Judge Martin Beddoe presided over the case and sentenced Maitland to a total of five years and four months in prison. The judge dismissed claims from Maitland’s defense that he showed “great remorse,” stating that his responses in the pre-sentence report were full of minimization and self-justification. The judge expressed concern over Maitland’s involvement in a police unit dedicated to investigating crimes against children, noting the serious breach of trust and the potential danger Maitland posed to pre-pubescent children.
Judge Beddoe highlighted the troubling nature of Maitland’s conduct, emphasizing that his actions could have caused irreparable harm to the victim and others. He pointed out that Maitland’s involvement in the police force’s child abuse investigations made his crimes even more egregious. The court also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to restrict Maitland’s future contact with children.
As the court proceedings concluded, silence fell over the courtroom as Maitland was taken into custody, facing the reality of his convictions. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Plymouth and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and integrity within law enforcement agencies.