In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that David Mortimer, 58, a retired police inspector, was convicted of making indecent images of children following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. On appearing at Kingston Crown Court for a four-day trial, the defendant—of Barnet, London—was found guilty of possessing “vile” abuse material. It was reported that Mortimer, who served with the Metropolitan Police for 30 years, was arrested at his home on 4 July 2018 after NCA officers tracked his online activity.
The investigation established the “calculated” nature of Mortimer’s digital offending and his attempts to bypass detection. The National Crime Agency reported that a seized laptop contained a 30-minute Category A video—the most serious classification—depicting the sexual abuse of a South East Asian girl. The prosecution reported that file-sharing software had been used in February 2018 to download titles indicative of child abuse, and forensic analysis recovered further incriminating file names from the deleted areas of the computer.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Mortimer attempted to use his former profession as a cover for his “sickening” habits. Kingston Crown Court heard that despite the evidence, Mortimer argued he was merely “gathering evidence” for the police, a claim dismissed by the jury. The investigation established that analysis of his mobile telephone and laptop revealed conversations between Mortimer and unidentified individuals in which he was actively seeking girls as young as 14.
The Presiding Judge noted that Mortimer’s 30-year career in law enforcement made his “betrayal of trust” particularly egregious. For his actions in Barnet, Mortimer was convicted of the most serious category of child abuse material. The judge noted that while Mortimer had no previous convictions, his attempts to conceal his offending and his “indicative” search history demonstrated a clear and persistent paedophilic interest that required a robust judicial response at his sentencing on 3 October 2019.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in London, the status of David Mortimer is as follows:
- Current Status: Convicted and awaiting sentencing (2019).
- Custodial Status: Remanded/Bailed pending sentencing on 3 October 2019.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active following conviction.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Kingston Crown Court following an NCA investigation.
- Criminal Record: Making and possessing indecent images of children (Category A).
- Origin: Barnet, London.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Mortimer is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) at a high level of scrutiny in London. Due to the nature of his conduct in Barnet, which involved the use of sophisticated file-sharing software to access Category A abuse material, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his background as a retired inspector necessitates a strict audit of his digital life to ensure he cannot use his knowledge of police tactics to further evade detection or target vulnerable minors.
As a convicted sex offender, Mortimer must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity, residence, and digital devices. Authorities state that his history of seeking 14-year-old girls in online conversations necessitates permanent vigilance by local offender management teams. Any future attempt to access illegal software, fail to disclose a digital alias, or breach the conditions of his upcoming sentence will result in immediate arrest and a return to the prison system.
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