PETER BA FROM DAWLEY SHOCKS LONDON POLICE WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AT KINGSTON AND SOUTHWARK CROWN COURT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the police community and the public alike, Peter Ba, a former police officer from Dawley, has been found guilty of possessing an enormous collection of indecent images of children. The case, which unfolded across several court hearings in London, revealed the extent of Ba's alleged misconduct and the serious breach of trust involved.

Back in May 2013, police authorities seized a computer along with external hard drives from Ba's residence in Dawley, Shropshire, marking the beginning of a lengthy investigation into his activities. Over the years, it was uncovered that Ba had amassed a staggering total of 65,131 illegal files, including 11 videos and nearly 1,000 images classified as Category A, which depict the most severe forms of child abuse, such as rape and torture. Ba claimed during the proceedings that he was unaware of the nature of these images at the time of downloading, a defense that did little to sway the court.

The criminal proceedings culminated in a court appearance at Southwark Crown Court, where Ba, aged 55, pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent images of children. The court was informed that his collection included some of the most extreme and disturbing content, involving acts of sexual violence and sadism, with some images also depicting animal abuse. The total number of files, including videos, exceeded 65,000, highlighting the severity of his actions.

Ba's misconduct was not only a violation of the law but also a profound breach of the ethical standards expected of a police officer. His conduct was deemed to have severely undermined public confidence in law enforcement. As a result, the Metropolitan Police took swift action, dismissing him without notice during a special case hearing held at the Empress State Building in London. The hearing was brief, lasting only about ten minutes, and Ba failed to attend in person.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, who chaired the disciplinary meeting, expressed his firm stance on the matter, stating, “We believe he had been found to bring the police service into disrepute. The public has the right to trust officers. My position is that Peter Ba Han should be dismissed without notice.”

In addition to the disciplinary proceedings, Ba faced criminal charges. The court heard that he had stored the illegal files on three different devices, including a computer and external hard drives. The images included some of the most heinous types of abuse, with 11 films and 999 images classified as Category A. Ba's defense claimed ignorance regarding the content, asserting he did not know what the images depicted at the time of download.

Sentencing was scheduled for March 23 at Kingston Crown Court, where Judge Andrew Goymer indicated that Ba could expect a significant prison term, given the volume and severity of the material involved. The judge noted that the number of images placed Ba at the top end of the sentencing range, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

Throughout the proceedings, Ba's conduct was scrutinized not only for its criminal nature but also for its impact on public trust in law enforcement. The case has been a stark reminder of the importance of integrity within the police force and the need for rigorous checks to prevent such breaches. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin of the Met’s Professionalism Command reaffirmed the force’s commitment to accountability, stating, “Ba Han’s abhorrent behavior has been exposed and he has rightfully been dismissed from the Met. The Met has robust checks in place to identify officers and staff whose behavior falls below the required standard, and those who do will be held to account through the appropriate channels.”

As the legal process continues, the case remains a sobering example of the devastating consequences when individuals entrusted with public safety abuse their positions and violate the most fundamental moral and legal standards.