Former police officer jailed for child sex offences

A former police officer who led a "double life" has been jailed for two years and eight months after admitting numerous child sexual offences.

Thomas Kettleborough was formerly an inspector with Avon and Somerset Police but was dismissed on 12 March for gross misconduct and barred from policing.

The 35-year-old concealed his true identity online by using the pseudonym Liam to engage in sexual communication with multiple children over a span of four years.

Officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) also uncovered more than 150 indecent images of children on his phone and computer.

Kettleborough was arrested in July 2023 by SWROCU officers after communicating with and travelling to meet who he thought was a child.

Instead, he was confronted in a sting by officers from the unit and taken into custody.

During a search of his vehicle, a yellow Aldi bag for life was located inside the boot containing an assortment of sex toys, condoms and bondage equipment, including a pair of limb restraints, the court heard.

In February, Kettleborough pleaded guilty to the following offences under the Sexual Offences and Protection of Children Acts:

• 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
• Four counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

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.

"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."

Det Insp Dave Wells, who led the investigation, said Kettleborough was leading a "double life" with the sole intention of "furthering his own personal interests".

"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," he said.

"However he concealed his true identity through an online persona as 'Liam', 'L S' and 'Liamss5506'."

Det Insp Wells added he believes there may be more victims impacted by Kettleborough's actions, and appealed for those with information to come forward.

"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, described Kettleborough's actions as "vile, manipulative and heinous".

"We've got clear standards in policing and within the constabulary of what is expected of us, and Thomas has absolutely breached those standards in the worst of ways," she said.

Kettleborough was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

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