A former police officer has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting to child sex offences.
Lee Bowditch, aged 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of creating indecent images of children and two counts of attempting to engage a minor in sexual communication.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by Leicester Crown Court.
Residing in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Bowditch is also set to be on the sex offenders register for a decade and was issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
The police officer was arrested following his contact with a 14-year-old girl via a dating website, during which he sent her indecent images along with sexual messages.
He also admitted to downloading the most severe category of indecent images of children.
According to Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Bowditch admitted to downloading the gravest class of child abuse images.
Guildford criticized Bowditch's actions, which occurred while he was still a serving officer, stating he failed to uphold safeguarding duties and instead engaged in criminal behavior.
He described Bowditch as a disgrace to the police force and the community.
Following his arrest, Nottinghamshire Police immediately suspended him, and he retired from duty in October.
A special misconduct hearing found him guilty of gross misconduct, concluding that had he still been employed, he would have faced dismissal.
He will also be listed on the barred list, restricting him from future police employment.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
unts of creating indecent images of children and two counts of attempting to engage a minor in sexual communication. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by Leicester Crown Court. Residing in Radcliffe-on-...
Suspended sentence
A former police officer has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting to child sex offences
Prison sentence
eight months
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by Leicester Crown Court
Suspended sentence
two years
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by Leicester Crown Court
Sex Offenders Register
Residing in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Bowditch is also set to be on the sex offenders register for a decade and was issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order
Court order
Residing in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Bowditch is also set to be on the sex offenders register for a decade and was issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order
