Derbyshire Cybercrimes PCSO jailed for 27 months for abuse images

James Land was arrested by his own colleagues after it was discovered he had accessed some images on his police force laptop, in May 2021.

On searching his personal devices, officer found that he had amassed over 1,500 indecent images and videos of children, including some he had himself filmed, of naked children in a Chesterfield swimming pool changing room in 2015.

He also filmed and took photos of an adult woman, without her consent.

He was charged with five counts of indecent images, five counts of voyeurism, and a charge of filming and taking photos without consent.

At Derby Crown Court, he was sentenced to 27 months in prison and a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant QC said

“You quite plainly targeted very young children aged from three to five years old, it was a swimming baths.

“That caused a great deal of distress to their families.

“You were at all times employed by Derbyshire Constabulary as a PCSO – in 2017 you were given a role in cyber crime.

“You gave safeguarding advice in online safety and it is against this backdrop that you accept that since 2002 until 2021 you have been in possession of indecent images.”

James Land was suspended from Derbyshire Police Force when the images were located, but he later resigned from his role. Derbyshire Police Force have confirmed that gross misconduct proceedings will be brought against him, now that the criminal case is over.