CLIVE HANSEN FROM BENFLEET ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE DOWNLOAD OF 1600 CHILD IMAGES IN ESSEX

In a case that has shocked the local community and raised serious questions about trust within law enforcement, Clive Hansen, a police officer based in Essex, notably from Benfleet, was found to have downloaded an alarming number of indecent images of children. Despite the gravity of his actions, Hansen was handed a relatively lenient sentence after admitting to possessing and creating such material, including some of the most severe categories of child abuse images.

The incident came to light in November of the previous year when authorities received a tip-off indicating that Hansen, then serving as a police officer, was involved in the illegal downloading of child abuse images. Acting swiftly, officers from the Essex Police force visited Hansen’s residence in Benfleet, seized his laptop, and arrested him upon his return from a shift. The investigation revealed that Hansen had accumulated a disturbing collection of images, with a total of 1,600 photographs depicting children aged between eight and 14 engaged in sexual activities.

During the court proceedings, Hansen, who was representing himself, did not contest the charges but expressed deep remorse for his actions. He acknowledged that by viewing these images, he was perpetuating the abuse happening elsewhere and admitted to being ashamed of his conduct. Hansen stated, “I am so ashamed of what I have done. There is no excuse. I am so sorry for everybody that has been involved in this sad situation.” He further requested that his sentence be suspended, hoping to have the opportunity to make amends and contribute positively to his community.

The court heard that Hansen possessed 17 images classified as Category A, which are considered the most extreme and severe forms of child abuse imagery. Additionally, he had 26 images at Category B and a staggering 1,576 images at Category C, the least severe category. There was also mention of another prohibited image found on his device. Hansen admitted to viewing these images over an 11-month period, highlighting the prolonged nature of his offending.

Hansen’s background was noted during the proceedings, including his previous work at Rayleigh police station, where he was involved in promoting initiatives such as Horsewatch, a scheme aimed at protecting animals from theft. He was also active in promoting youth services and efforts to combat antisocial behavior, which made his actions all the more shocking given his prior community involvement.

Judge David Goodin, presiding over the case at Ipswich Crown Court, acknowledged Hansen’s previous good character but emphasized the seriousness of the offences. The judge remarked, “In my judgement there are not very many of these Category A images but here they are. Bearing in mind your background of exemplary character, any sentence I make I know must take that into account. All the indications are your remorse was real and there were particular factors that seem to have pushed you in this unhealthy direction.”

As part of his sentence, Hansen was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, was issued a sexual harm prevention order for seven years, and will be registered as a sex offender for the same period. Additionally, he was mandated to participate in 60 days of rehabilitation activities to provide face-to-face support and help prevent any recurrence of such behavior.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about the presence of individuals in positions of trust who abuse that trust in the most heinous ways. The community and authorities alike are reminded of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict oversight to prevent such breaches of trust from occurring again.