Probation for child porn officer

A policeman who downloaded indecent images of children has been given three years probation.

The offence came to light, after William Neil McGonigle, 39, was caught trying to photograph two schoolgirls changing at a leisure centre.

Judge Norman Lockie told a court in Antrim on Thursday that McGonigle should be given the opportunity of a treatment programme for sex offenders.

McGonigle, a father-of-three, was dismissed from the PSNI two months ago.

His address was given in court as c/o PSNI Headquarters. He was dismissed from the force after pleading guilty in June to making indecent images of a child and attempting to do so in 2006.

Judge Lockie said he had "decided, after much anxious thought and reflection, that the option of an immediate custodial sentence would not, by itself serve to safeguard children" from McGonigle re-offending.

He said he believed the best way "to achieve that essential objective", was that McGonigle, who is originally from Tandragee, be given the oportunity "to fully engage in a treatment and rehabilitation programme" for sex offenders.

Judge Lockie stressed "the public can be assured by me this is not an easy option", and nor was it simply "a slap on the wrist".