Police officer on child porn charges
Scarborough-based officer to stand trial
A Scarborough-based police officer accused of possession and distribution of child pornography has appeared at Hull Crown Court.
Andrew Duncan Nicholson, 42, was arrested in an undercover police operation targeting users of the Gigatribe private two-way file sharing site.
His home was raided. Laptop computer and mobile telephone were seized and later analysed for indecent images.
Nicholson, a police officer, appeared in the dock of court one at Hull Crown court on Monday.
He is charged with one offence of distributing an indecent image of a child by allowing an undercover investigator access to an indecent image on July 3 2013.
He is also charged with two offences of possession of seven indecent photographs of children on his laptop and mobile phone at his home in Nafferton on March 4 2014.
The possession offences are Contrary to section 160(1), (2A) and (3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
The distribution offence is contrary to sections 1(1)(b) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978.
Nicholson, of Nafferton, made a 15-minute appearance before Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, dressed in a blue suit and tie.
Category C images are the lowest level on indecent images of children.
Crown barrister Stephen Robinson said the details of the allegations had been given to the defence and the case had been scheduled for a plea and case management hearing.
Defence barrister Paul Fleming said the defence were still awaiting information on the images.
Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, said more work needed to be done on the indictment before it could be put to Mr Nicholson.
He ordered Mr Nicholson to stand as he told him a plea and case management hearing would take place at Leeds Crown Court on Monday October 26. Mr Nicholson was allowed to walk free on bail.