The Offender Database reported that Damien Gibbons, aka DC Damien Cotgreave, the Sussex Police Paedophile, from Hailsham in East Sussex, was found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a young child online.
After a three-day trial at Guildford Crown Court, Damien Gibbons, previously identified as Damien Cotgreave, 48, of High Street, Hailsham, was convicted of attempting online sexual communication with a minor.
At the moment of his apprehension in February 2020 for this offence, he was an officer with Sussex Police.
In April 2021, he was subsequently charged with the crime using the name of Damien Cotgreave.
Damien Gibbons received a one-year suspended prison sentence and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that imposes stringent limitations on his access to youngsters and computers.
The case, sanctioned by the Crown Prosecution Service, commenced following an inquiry conducted by the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) of Sussex Police, initiated upon receiving information from a member of the public in February 2020.
At the time of his arrest in February 2020, Damien Cotgreave held the position of Detective Constable with the Sussex Police; however, he was subsequently suspended following his arrest.
During a distinct public misconduct process in January 2021, he was determined to have violated numerous professional standards, based on evidence unrelated to the current prosecution; had he not already resigned, he would have faced termination from the police.
Consequently, he has been added to the College of Policing Barred and Advisory list, which prohibits his return to law enforcement.
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