January 2017 Pervert police officer avoids jail after being caught with indecent images of children A pervert police officer has avoided a prison sentence after downloading indecent images of children. Disgraced PC Paul Sharp, who worked for Northumbria Police’s Northern Area Command, was caught with the sick pictures, as well photos of extreme pornography, in September last year. An investigation was conducted after police received a report the 34-year-old officer was in possession of the images and they were subsequently found. Sharp, of Bracken Avenue, Wallsend , had pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possession of extreme pornography at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on January 18. The court heard on that occasion that the extreme pornography related to a sexual image of a person and a live animal. The case was adjourned until Thursday for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Now, Sharp has avoided a stint behind bars after being given a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to attend a rehabilitation course and made to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £115.