Ex-Met Police officer who sent sexual messages to 15-year-old boy avoids jail

A former Metropolitan Police officer has prevented jail after admitting to sending sexual messages to a 15-year-old boy.

PC Will Scott-Barrett, 33, was handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Isleworth Crown Court docket.

The court docket beforehand heard that he pleaded responsible to a cost of sexual communication with a baby on or earlier than February 3 final yr.

An earlier listening to was instructed he was involved with the teen utilizing the Snapchat and Discord social media apps from April 2020.

Scott-Barrett, of Bromley, south-east London, despatched messages together with graphic sexual photos and movies to the boy, who can't be named.

The officer was off-duty on the time of his offending, which isn't stated to have been linked together with his position within the pressure.

He has since resigned from his put up.

Will Scott-Barrett leaves Isleworth Crown Court docket after being handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Isobel Frodsham

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman revealed a misconduct listening to discovered that if Scott-Barrett had not resigned, he would have been dismissed.

Kirsty O'Connor

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police stated a misconduct listening to discovered that if Scott-Barrett had not resigned he would have been dismissed.

Sentencing, Decide Robin Johnson stated: “That is undoubtedly a tragic case. Unhappy for you, in that you just misplaced your job and your good character, but in addition unhappy, troubling and worrying for the household (of the sufferer).

“My sympathies are with the sufferer and his household somewhat than you.

“This sort of offending harms youngsters, that's self-evident. The hurt finished to the sufferer is incalculable.

“You have been beforehand of fine character, you have been a serving police officer on the time.

“I've accepted that you just expressed real regret and are taking steps to evaluate your offending.”

Scott-Barrett, sporting a navy swimsuit, mild blue shirt and pink patterned tie, remained silent all through the listening to.

He should undertake rehabilitation for 40 days and is topic to a sexual hurt prevention order.

Scott-Barrett has additionally been ordered to pay a sufferer surcharge and the statutory surcharge, and could also be topic to an order from the Disclosure and Barring Service, relying on if the company decides it's acceptable.