This is the visage of a Derbyshire police community support officer, Paedophile James Land, who clandestinely recorded children as young as three undressed in the changing rooms at a local swimming pool. Derby Crown Court was informed that James Land had been accumulating abhorrent child exploitation films and photos for nearly two decades.
A 43-year-old individual, James Land, employed in the cyber crime branch at Derbyshire police headquarters in Ripley was discovered concealing under his bed undergarments belonging to girls as young as 13. In addition to recording the minors, the defendant also covertly filmed an adult woman participating in sexual activities.
Judge Nirmal Shant QC sentenced James Land to 27 months of imprisonment, stating, “An aggravating factor was that you engaged in this activity involving indecent images for 19 years.” It is evident that you particularly targeted very young children in the filming.
“Your presence in the changing rooms was utilised to record young children, resulting in significant distress for the families.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Shant imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and mandated his registration on the sex offender registry for the same duration.
At the time of his arrest in May of last year, one of James Land’s responsibilities was to “interact with children suspected of perpetrating minor computer misuse offences.”
at his tenure from 2017 until his arrest last year, he was “engaged in safeguarding counsel for adults and delivered presentations to schools on online safety,” as stated at his sentencing hearing. The 43-year-old father, who was suspended from the police department after his arrest, has since resigned from his position at headquarters in Ripley.
Sarah Slater, prosecuting, stated that investigators discovered an internet address associated with James Land had been downloading indecent images of children, prompting a raid on his previous residence in The Hill. She stated that several electronic devices were confiscated, including his police laptop.
The prosecution stated: “Upon downloading and examining a hard drive, the police discovered numerous images and a video of young children in various states of undress in a swimming pool changing room.” The location was identified as Queen’s Park Leisure Centre in Chesterfield, and the video was dated 2015.
The police subsequently acquired documents from the swimming lessons conducted at the pool to facilitate the identification of certain minors involved. Five of the youngsters involved were identified, while two remain unrecognised.
This video was recorded in the changing area without the consent of the individuals depicted. The duration is four minutes and seventeen seconds, and the defendant subsequently captured two screenshots from the video.
Miss Slater stated that law enforcement reached out to the parents and guardians of the children they believed might be included in the video, and all were able to verify their involvement. She stated that sexually graphic photographs and films of an adult lady were discovered, all captured and recorded without her consent.
The prosecution stated: “The explicit images depict children as young as two or three, both female and male, some of whom appear visibly distressed in the photographs.” An photograph depicted him displaying his genitals while on Derbyshire Constabulary premises.
Miss Slater recited two victim impact statements from the parents of the youngsters recorded by the defendant.
One stated: “The knowledge that he was a police officer in our community has profoundly undermined our faith and trust in those who are expected to protect us and our children.”
James Land, currently residing in Abergele, Conwy, North Wales, pleaded guilty to charges of voyeurism and to possessing 365 obscene photos classified as category A, committed between October 24, 2012, and May 20 of the previous year.
They generally depict adults perpetrating rape and sexual abuse against youngsters. He confessed to owning 262 category B and 686 category C items. He additionally admitted guilt to possessing 179 illicit photos of minors.
Darron Whitehead, in mitigation, stated that his client entered a guilty plea at the earliest chance in the crown court and possesses no prior convictions.
He stated: “On behalf of Mr. James Land, I extend to this court and all victims in this case an unequivocal apology for his actions, the offences committed, and the repercussions they have endured.”
“None of the recordings or received images have been disseminated to a broader audience.” His marriage has deteriorated, and he is no longer in communication with his son.
His mother, father, and two aunts are there in this room, all of whom he believes he has betrayed in terms of their ideals. He believes he has violated the confidence of the police force.
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