EAST SUSSEX POLICE OFFICER DAMIEN COTGREAVE CONVICTED OF ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATIONS IN GUILDFORD
An individual from East Sussex, known as Damien Gibbons, has been convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor over the internet.The case was heard over a three-day trial that commenced on Monday, December 18, at Guildford Crown Court.
Damien Gibbons, who was previously known by his former name Damien Cotgreave, aged 48, resides on High Street in Hailsham.
The court found him guilty of attempting to communicate sexually with a child through online channels.
His arrest in February 2020 marked a significant development in this case.
At the time, he was serving as a police officer with Sussex Police.
The investigation that led to his arrest was conducted by the Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
The inquiry was initiated after a member of the public reported suspicious activity, which prompted police to act swiftly.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Cotgreave believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, engaging in explicit sexual conversations.
However, the individual he was chatting with was actually an adult member of the public who had come forward with concerns about his conduct.
Following his arrest, Cotgreave was suspended from his duties as a Sussex Police officer.
In April 2021, he was formally charged with the offence under his previous name, Cotgreave.
The prosecution, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service, sought to hold him accountable for his actions.
The court sentenced him to a one-year prison term, suspended, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits further offences within a specified period.
Additionally, he was subjected to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which imposes strict restrictions on his access to children and computers, aiming to prevent any future harm.
Michelle Shepherd, a crime investigator with Sussex Police and part of the POLIT team, commented on the case: “Cotgreave believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl and engaged in very explicit sexual conversations.
In reality, he was communicating with an adult member of the public who reported his behavior to the police.
We responded immediately to arrest him and to ensure that no actual child was harmed.
We encourage anyone with suspicions of this nature to contact the police without delay.” It was also revealed that Cotgreave’s misconduct extended beyond this criminal case.
During a separate public misconduct hearing held in January 2021, it was established that he had committed multiple breaches of professional standards.
These breaches were uncovered through evidence independent of the current prosecution.
As a consequence, he would have been dismissed from Sussex Police had he not already resigned from his position.
Furthermore, he has been placed on the College of Policing’s Barred and Advisory list, which effectively prevents him from re-entering law enforcement in the future.
The disciplinary proceedings and the misconduct findings were a direct result of information uncovered during the criminal investigation by POLIT, highlighting the serious breach of trust and professional standards involved in this case.
