Cop Convicted After Trying to Meet ’13-Year-Old’ Online
Detective Constable Francois Olwage, 52, from Stevenage, has been sentenced to five and a half years in jail after being caught trying to meet a child for sex. The ex-police officer thought he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl—but it was actually an undercover cop.
Shocking Crimes Uncovered in Online Sting
- Olwage was arrested on October 29, 2021, after arranging to meet the ‘girl’ in Basingstoke.
- He pleaded guilty to corruption of police powers.
- The jury found him guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, inciting sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, and meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.
The offences occurred between October 15 and 28, 2021.
From Trusted Officer to Convicted Criminal
Olwage served 15 years in police forces including the Met and Hertfordshire Constabulary. He used a chatroom to ‘groom’ who he thought was a young girl, exchanging increasingly sexual messages over two weeks before setting up the meeting.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Dalton said: “It is shocking that a serving police officer has committed these appalling crimes. No favouritism was shown as the investigation and court process proved.”
“Investigating those who seek to harm children is incredibly difficult, and my team’s results make me exceptionally proud.”
Judge Slams Ex-Cop’s Abuse of Trust
Sentencing at Winchester Crown Court, Judge Jane Miller QC said:
“You were a highly regarded police officer with considerable experience. You were expected to uphold the law but by trying to take advantage of a vulnerable child, albeit fictional, you showed a disregard for the public trust and confidence.”
Olwage must sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
Defence Claims He Was Looking for ‘Love’
Olwage’s barrister Adrienne Knight argued he was not seeking a child but “stumbled across it” due to police sting tactics. She said he expressed “sorrow for what he had done” and insisted this wasn’t entrapment—though she admitted it “was very close indeed.”
Senior crown prosecutor Marc Thompson fired back, stating:
“While he denied any sexual interest in children, his messages made it clear he believed he was in contact with a child.”
“On the day he planned to meet, he abandoned his police duties to pursue sexual gratification.”
“No real children were endangered, but this case reveals what he’s capable of when hiding behind the internet’s anonymity.”
“It’s even more serious because he broke the public trust he swore to protect.”
