Ex-police chief jailed over porn

The court heard Bruce had tried three times to kill himself

A former British Transport Police chief superintendent who downloaded hundreds of child pornography pictures has been jailed for four months.

David Bruce, 44, of Neath Hill, Bucks, viewed indecent pictures of young girls, after drinking sessions.

On Tuesday, he appeared before Milton Keynes Magistrates for sentence, having earlier admitted 17 counts of making or possessing indecent images of children.

Since his arrest, Bruce has resigned from his job and tried to kill himself.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Scofield said Thames Valley Police Officers raided Bruce's former home in Swimbridge Lane, Furzton, Milton Keynes on 22 July after being passed information that showed he had used his credit card to pay for pornography sites.

Suicide attempts

His computer was seized from his study and an examination carried out which found a total of 657 images on the computer.

Defence Solicitor Ian Lewis said Bruce had attempted suicide in August, September and October this year.

On three separate occasions since 1990, he had also received psychiatric help.

He said Bruce felt great shame and remorse.

'Terrible abuse'

Mr Lewis went on to say that, since his arrest, Bruce's life had been destroyed.

His marriage was over and he had lost his job, in which he was earning more than £60,000 per year.

He said Bruce had worked his way up through the ranks over the past 22 years and was going to attend courses to become a chief police officer.

The police authority will now decide whether he will lose his pension.

Jailing him, District Judge Brian Loosley said: "People like you create a very lucrative market for people who cause children to suffer terrible abuse."

The judge ordered that Bruce also register as a sex offender for seven years.

His laptop and computer equipment were to be destroyed.