July 2003

Pervert cop jailed for downloading child porn

A POLICEMAN who was praised for bravery and his work in anti-paedophile operations has been jailed after downloading child pornography from the internet using his credit card.

Sergeant Richard Curry, 39, pleaded guilty to six charges of possessing more than 1,300 sickening pictures showing children as young as seven having sex with adults.

He was jailed for six months on Tuesday.

Southwark Crown Court heard how Curry had downloaded the pictures and printed them out on A4 paper before hiding them in a drawer and a wardrobe at his home in Golden Crescent, Hayes.

Judge Peter Fingret, sentencing, told Curry: “In the exhibits produced to me, there are a number of images printed by you of penetrative sexual activity between children and adults – and they are quite horrific.”

He added: “In your occupation, you must have been aware of the risks you were taking.”

Curry had been awarded a Quality Service Report for helping American police in their global crackdown on paedophiles.

However, he himself was caught when US officers passed his details to Scotland Yard’s Paedophile Unit.

Katrina Charles, prosecuting, told the court that when police arrived at his house Curry immediately confessed and took them to his bedroom where he had hidden the pornographic material.

Officers seized his computer and discovered more pornographic images on the hard drive. In total, 1,312 illegal pictures were found.

Curry, who worked at Hammersmith Police Station, admitted actively searching out child porn websites and paying one 30 dollar weekly subscription to a site called Lolita World.

Louise McCulloch, mitigating, emphasised his previously exemplary record.

He had been awarded Quality Service Reports for his bravery during a siege, during riots in 1999 and for his attempts to save a woman who had tried to commit suicide.

Ms McCulloch said: “It is both tragic and puzzling for a man who has so much to give to be before the court on a matter such as this.

“He is now a ruined man.”

Curry was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years.