SICK POLICE OFFICER FILMED NAKED CHILDREN IN SWIMMING POOL CHANGING ROOMS
A former police community support officer has admitted to filming nude children inside swimming pool changing rooms and to owning over 1,000 disturbing images related to child abuse.James Land, previously employed as a PCSO, accepted 10 charges during his court appearance following his arrest in May of the previous year.
Land appeared before Derby Crown Court on April 8, where he pleaded guilty to three charges of producing indecent images, one charge of possessing extreme images, and six charges of voyeurism.
He lives in Abergele, Conwy, and was detained when the police discovered he had created indecent images.
Following his arrest, he was suspended from duty and later resigned earlier this month.
The case has been adjourned until a sentencing hearing scheduled for Monday, May 23.
During the period of the offenses, Land was working with Derbyshire Police.
The 43-year-old, who was suspended after his arrest, has now left his position at the force’s headquarters in Ripley, as reported by Derbyshire Live.
Deputy Chief Constable Kate Meynell commented: “No one in Derbyshire Constabulary should engage in such serious criminal conduct.
We, like the communities we serve, are shocked and appalled by Land’s behaviour.
He was arrested promptly and suspended, with ongoing gross misconduct proceedings now that criminal proceedings are complete.
“We will pursue his inclusion on the barred list to ensure he cannot work with other police agencies or certain professional roles.” Land was granted bail until May 23 for sentencing.
Judge Shaun Smith noted: “Giving you bail and requiring a pre-sentence report does not indicate what the final sentence will be.
Custodial measures remain highly likely, and you will now need to register as a sex offender.
The report will evaluate the risk you pose, but that does not guarantee you will avoid prison.” He admitted to five voyeurism charges for photographs of children taken at a Derbyshire swimming pool on September 19, 2015.
He also admitted one charge of voyeurism related to an adult victim between January 2014 and May 2020.
The court heard he possessed 365 images in the most severe category (A), showing children being sexually abused, collected between October 24, 2012, and May 2020.
He also possessed 262 category B and 686 category C images.
Additionally, he admitted to holding an unspecified number of extreme pornographic images depicting adults engaged in sexual acts with animals.
