Former PCSO sentenced for sexual communication with child

A former PCSO who thought he was sending sexualised messages to a child has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Daniel Mark Carlson, 29, exchanged messages with a profile on social media apps, including Snapchat, he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

The messages were sent between July 10 and August 8, this year.

A court heard at the start of the conversation, Carlson was told the profile belonged to a child, but he continued to send messages. Among these messages were repeated offers to pay for sexually explicit images.

Bournemouth Crown Court, Dorset, was told the person behind the account was actually a police officer, and not a child as Carlson had believed.

Having been arrested and charged, he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity on his first appearance at court.

Carlson, who was previously a PCSO based in Winchester, has since been dismissed from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.

On Friday (November 1), he handed an eight month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, and 200 hours of unpaid work, and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: "The abhorrent behaviour displayed by Daniel Carlson has absolutely no place in society, let alone in policing.

"As police officers and staff, we are entrusted with protecting the most vulnerable in our communities, particularly children, a duty at the core of public service and our child-centred policing approach.

"The messages Carlson sent, believing he was engaging with a child, are reprehensible and totally at odds with what the public rightly expect from those working in the police service.

"We are out there, proactively seeking out offending against children, particularly involving sexual criminality, and this should send a clear message that there will be no tolerance of this from anyone.

"Carlson's offending was identified, investigated, and acted upon quickly, leading to the conviction at court and swift dismissal of a serving member of staff.

"His actions do not reflect the hard work and professionalism of the officers, staff and volunteers, who deliver to the highest standards every day across Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. These are the dedicated people who truly represent the force, and protect and serve the most vulnerable in society."

If you have any concerns about the behaviour or conduct or a police officer or member of staff, you can report this either directly to us by going to https://www.hampshire.police.uk/fo/feedback/complaints/complaints/make-complaint-about-police/ or by contacting Crimestoppers https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/campaigns/the-police-anti-corruption-and-abuse-reporting-service