Officer on indecent image rap

AMERSEYSIDE police officer has been accused of possessing nearly 1,500 indecent images of children.

Darren Wright from Southport is charged with making, having and sharing pictures over a two-year period ending in June.

It is alleged 23 images were Category A, the most serious classification available to prosecutors.

Wright made his first court appearance on Friday when he attended a hearing at Bootle Magistrates’ Court.

The 38-year-old constable is charged with that, between July 1, 2015 and June 10, 2016, he:

Made 23 Category A, 26 Category B, and 1,368 Category C indecent photographs of children. The use of the word “made” in cases of this type often refers to the downloading of images.

Possessed 1,417 indecent images of children.

Possessed 20 prohibited images of children.

On, or before, June 9, 2017 he “distributed a number of Category C images of children”.

Wright did not enter a plea and the case was transferred to Liverpool Crown Court for a hearing next month.

He has been suspended by the force while the allegations go through the court system.

A force spokesman said: “Merseyside police can confirm a serving Merseyside police officer was charged with indecent images offences.

“Constable Darren Wright, 38 years, of Chester Road, Southport was arrested in June – when he was suspended from his duties – and later charged with making an indecent image of a child (x3), possession of an indecent image of a child, possession of a prohibited image of a child and distribution of indecent images of children.”