Ex-Met Police Officer Jailed for Child Sex Offences
Mark Collins, 58, a former Metropolitan Police constable, was locked up for two years and four months at the Old Bailey on Friday, 30 April. The officer from the Met’s South Area Command Unit pleaded guilty to serious sex offences involving children.
Twisted Crimes Committed On Duty
On 27 January at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Collins admitted trying to cause a girl aged 13–15 to engage in sexual activity with penetration before 24 November 2019. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, crimes dating between 4 and 26 November 2019.
Some offences happened while Collins was on duty, though not officially in his role as a police officer. He abused personal devices to make contact with victims.
Immediate Suspension and Retirement
- Collins was arrested on 26 November 2019
- Suspended from duty immediately after arrest
- Charged officially on 9 November 2020
- Retired from the Met on 19 February
Zero Tolerance from the Met
A Special Case Hearing on 21 April ruled Collins’ actions amounted to gross misconduct. Had he still been serving, he would have been sacked.
Commander Paul Betts, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “These are absolutely abhorrent crimes and it is utterly shocking that a police officer could have committed them. It is clear this type of conduct has no place within the organisation and we are committed to bringing the perpetrators of such terrible crimes to justice, whoever they may be.”
