Ex-policeman's child porn sentence

Computer store staff spotted suspiciously-named files

A former police officer has been sentenced to three years' community service for child pornography offences.

William Trevor Morgan, 44, had eight indecent video clips of children on his computer, Brecon magistrates heard.

The clips were discovered when Morgan - then a Dyfed Powys Police officer - took his computer for repair.

Morgan, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, admitted making indecent images of children.

The court heard that computer shop staff in Swansea became suspicious when they examined the machine and found certain files.

The investigation had a devastating effect on his family and his health, and he resigned from his job Susan Cowan, prosecuting

Morgan, who had served 12 years as an officer, was subsequently arrested.

He pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children at a hearing last month.

Susan Cowan, prosecuting, told the court today: "He admitted there were gay sex sites on the computer. He stated he was curious. "

Morgan had insisted he was not sexually attracted to children and visited the sites through curiosity, she added.

"When the computer was returned to him after being repaired, on that same day Mr Morgan had re-entered these sites and looked at the images once more," she went on.

"The investigation had a devastating effect on his family and his health, and he resigned from his job."

Resigned from force

Ian Wilson, defending, said: "Mr Morgan, has, to a certain extent, already been punished. He has lost his job, a job he had done well for some 12 years.

"He resigned on the day he was charged."

Mr Morgan was also in the process of selling his home and car, Mr Wilson said.

There was no evidence Morgan had been involved in the original abuse of the children in the video clips, Mr Wilson added. He said a custodial sentence would not have been appropriate.

He provided three written character references to the magistrates, including one from Morgan's mother.

Sentencing Morgan, chairman of the bench Paul Bevan said: "We have, of course, had to take into account the nature and seriousness of the offences.

"Given the nature of the files you downloaded, we are not giving you a custodial sentence on this occasion."

He said Morgan's "obvious remorse" had also been taken into account.

Morgan was given a three-year community rehabilitation order, and ordered to attend a sex offenders' treatment programme. He was also ordered to pay £100 costs.

In a statement, Dyfed Powys Police said Morgan was no longer employed by the force and further disciplinary procedures were not appropriate.