A police inspector, Thomas Kettleborough Bristol Paedophile, stationed in Bristol has been indicted on multiple charges of child sexual crimes. Thomas Kettleborough served as an inspector at the Avon and Somerset Police Headquarters in Bristol.
The 35-year-old, Thomas Kettleborough, was apprehended in July 2023 on allegations of orchestrating or enabling the perpetration of a child sex crime. He was interrogated and subsequently granted conditional bail. He was suspended subsequent to his arrest.
This apprehension was a component of a preemptive law enforcement initiative conducted by the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Subsequent investigations led to his arrest on suspicion of additional charges in March of this year.
The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which has authorised the following charges:
- Arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence
- Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
- Attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity
- Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
- Four counts of making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child
- Assaulting an emergency worker (police officer)
He is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on 22 November.
Thomas Kettleborough was also involved with two voluntary organisations, the Royal Marine Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society UK. None of the offences he is charged with relate to his voluntary roles.
A statement from the force said: “We’d like to reassure the public that we take all allegations extremely seriously and a full criminal investigation was swiftly initiated from the outset.
“Our Professional Standards Department is carrying out a separate investigation into potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour – this is an internal process separate to the criminal investigation.
“To protect the integrity of the ongoing criminal proceedings, we’re unable to go into more specific detail of the allegations at this stage.”
Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “We know the public’s trust and confidence in policing nationally remains fragile and we have a shared desire to increase the confidence the public have in us. We will continue to take decisive action and be clear about what behaviours and standards we expect from our people. Where these standards are not met, we’ll take swift and robust action.
“Where there is an allegation of a criminal offence being committed, a thorough investigation will always be carried out and where there is sufficient evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service will be asked to consider criminal charges.
“Throughout this investigation we’ve worked closely with the voluntary organisations this officer was involved with, as well as with the Local Authority Designated Officer, to ensure any safeguarding measures were prioritised.
“It’s important to reiterate the vast majority of our officers and staff dedicate themselves to public service and to keeping our communities safe.”
Officers are asking anyone with any relevant information to contact the force online or to call 101 and use the reference number 5224157243.
UPDATE 04.04.25
A former police officer who pleaded guilty to offences under the Sexual Offences and Protection of Children Acts has been sentenced to two years and eight months at Exeter Crown Court today (Thursday 3 April).
Thomas Kettleborough, 35, formerly an Inspector at Avon and Somerset Police, pleaded guilty in February to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity; one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child; and four counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.
On Wednesday 12 March, an accelerated misconduct hearing was held at Avon and Somerset Police’s Headquarters at which Thomas Kettleborough was dismissed and barred from policing and other law enforcement agencies after allegations of gross misconduct against him were proven.
Kettleborough was arrested in July 2023 by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) after communicating with and travelling to meet who he thought was a child. Instead, he was met by officers from the unit and arrested.
The further offences, including using Snapchat to sexually communicate with a boy, and making more than 150 indecent images of children, were discovered following examination of his phone and computer.
In a statement prepared for the sentencing hearing, the mother of a victim, said:
“I now live every day in fear for my children’s safety and the guilt I feel as a parent that I couldn’t protect my child has eaten away at me…But the reality is, it isn’t my son’s fault or anything I did or didn’t do as a parent. My son is a victim. It has affected the whole family more than I can ever explain, but I am so proud that my son had the strength and courage to come forward.”
Police have shared the Snapchat username and avatar used by Thomas Kettleborough to help identify any further victims of his offending.
Detective Inspector Dave Wells, who led the investigation, said: “The serious sexual offences against children that he’s been convicted of span a period of four years. Thomas Kettleborough was in a position of trust at the time, both as a police officer and as a volunteer for the Sea Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society, however he concealed his true identity through an online persona as ‘Liam’, ‘L S’ and ‘Liamss5506’.
“Specialist investigators are ready to listen and investigate any reports relating to Thomas Kettleborough or any other matters of concern. I want people to know that they will be believed.
“Thomas Kettleborough is now behind bars. I hope if there are others that have been affected by this case, they now feel empowered to tell someone, if they are ready to do so.”
Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “The public will be appalled by the vile and manipulative actions of this former officer.
“He was caught following a policing operation designed to keep children safe which has resulted in his wider offending being identified.
“We fully welcome the fact he has been jailed today which will protect children from further harm and our thoughts are with those directly impacted by his crimes.
“As well as encouraging the public to report any further concerns to the investigation team, we’ll be offering welfare support to our own staff, especially those who worked with him who’ve been left distressed by the terrible crimes he’s admitted to.”
Kettleborough was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
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.