A top officer in the Metropolitan Police, Paedophile Richard Watkinson, who was scheduled to face charges for child pornography offences, was discovered deceased at home back in 2023.
Chief Inspector Richard Watkinson, who faced allegations of possessing a collection of boys’ pants and child pornography in a concealed chamber, failed to appear at the police station on the day he was scheduled to be charged, according to the Sun.
Richard Watkinson, who potentially had access to educational institutions, allegedly possessed a concealed chamber in his Buckinghamshire residence, obscured by a trapdoor, where he stored undergarments, sexual paraphernalia, and disturbing photographs of child exploitation.
The Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct initiated a collaborative investigation into Richard Watkinson, discovering the chamber during a raid in July 2021. The abusive photographs were classified as Category A and B, indicating that the depicted abuse was of the most severe nature. No evidence existed to suggest that he had personally assaulted any youngster.
Richard Watkinson, 49, was arrested on July 9 that year on suspicion of misconduct, sending obscene messages, corrupt exercise of police powers and data protection breaches.
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Richard Watkinson was re-arrested nearly two weeks later on suspicion of offences that included conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children, voyeurism and misconduct in public office.
Richard Watkinson’s arrest was a shock for the Met, given the severity of his alleged offences, and his seniority and popularity within the force.
He had been due to turn up to a police station last week to be charged with seven offences. The alarm was raised when he never arrived.
A source said that Richard Watkinson may have taken his own life “because of all the pressure he was under”.
They added: “He was arrested some time ago and when everyone found out it was a huge shock.”
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A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Officers were called to Saunderton, Princes Risborough, at just after 3.35pm on Thursday 12 January.
“Sadly, the body of a man was located inside a property at that location. The man’s death is unexplained but not suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner.
“His next of kin have been made aware and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends.”
The Met Police said: “Met officers attended an address in Buckinghamshire on the afternoon of Thursday, 12 January following welfare concerns and found the body of a man in his 40s.”
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