A 33-year-old man employed by West Yorkshire Police has been handed an extended prison sentence after being convicted of numerous child sex crimes.
Christopher Thompson was serving in the force’s Regional Scientific Support Services division when the investigation commenced.
The case proceeded through Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court in July, where he was found guilty of two charges relating to the creation of indecent imagery of a child, a charge of dispatching communications containing threats, and a charge of deliberately facilitating the commission of an offence carrying either summary or indictable jurisdiction – specifically attempting to orchestrate sexual activity involving a child under 13 years of age.
Thompson appeared for sentencing at Great Grimsby Crown Court on Tuesday.
He received an extended custodial term of six years.
Additionally, he was ordered onto the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and became subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order alongside permanent non-contact provisions concerning his two victims.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, confirmed that immediate action was taken upon receiving the initial report.
Officers established that the individual involved was a member of police staff and executed his arrest and suspension from duties on the subsequent day.
The investigation originated from messages Thompson dispatched to two women during January 2024.
Following his apprehension, investigators seized numerous electronic devices from his possession.
Subsequent forensic examination uncovered indecent images depicting children on those devices.
Detective Chief Superintendent Wilkins stated that misconduct proceedings would now be initiated with the explicit intention of ensuring Thompson faces permanent exclusion from any future employment within the police service.