Policeman Marc Mitchell Admits 14 Child Pornography Charges

A police officer from Liverpool admitted possessing 14 pornographic images of children, a court heard last week.

Former Acting Sgt Marc Mitchell had more than 120 obscene images of children – including 38 from the two most severe categories – on his computer when he was arrested in March 2007.

Mitchell claimed he’d developed a ‘morbid curiosity’ with the pictures after working on an investigation into paedophilia.

However, Judge David Aubrey QC warned: ‘This case in my judgement illustrates that there is no hiding place for people who are disposed, motivated, or driven to access such indecent material, whatever their occupation or profession.’

Ironically, his work had been praised by Communities and Local Government minister Hazel Blears, and managers at Merseyside police had even applauded Mitchell’s ‘excellent investigation skills and resilience.’

He was spared prison, but will have to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register until 2013.