Another Sussex Police paedophile from Hailsham in East Sussex, Damien Gibbons, has been found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a youngster online.
After a three-day trial commencing on Monday, 18 December, at Guildford Crown Court, Damien Gibbons, previously identified as Damien Cotgreave, 48, of High Street, Hailsham, was convicted of attempting online sexual communication with a minor.
At the moment of his apprehension in February 2020 for this offence, he was an officer with Sussex Police.
In April 2021, he was subsequently charged with the felony using the name of Damien Cotgreave.
Damien Gibbons received a one-year suspended prison sentence and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that imposes stringent limitations on his access to youngsters and computers.
The case, sanctioned by the Crown case Service, commenced following an inquiry conducted by the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) of Sussex Police, initiated upon receiving information from a member of the public in February 2020.
POLIT crime investigator Michelle Shepherd stated: “Damien Cotgreave believed he was conversing with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in highly explicit sexual dialogue; however, he was actually communicating with an adult member of the public who alerted the police. We promptly took action to apprehend him and safeguard against any potential harm to a real child.”
We will consistently respond to such allegations, and anyone with suspicions regarding this type of activity should promptly inform the authorities.
At the time of his arrest in February 2020, Damien Cotgreave held the position of Detective Constable with Sussex Police but was subsequently suspended upon his arrest. During a distinct public misconduct process in January 2021, he was determined to have violated numerous professional standards, based on evidence unrelated to the current prosecution, and he would have faced termination from the police had he not already resigned.
Consequently, he has been added to the College of Policing Barred and Advisory list, so prohibiting his return to law enforcement. The internal disciplinary inquiry leading to the misconduct hearing was initiated based on facts revealed during the criminal investigation conducted by POLIT.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.