London Cop Caught Trying to Groom ‘12-Year-Old’ Online
Police Sergeant James Chatfield, 36, has pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The London-based officer appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.
Fake Child Was Undercover Cop
The court heard Chatfield targeted what he believed was a 12-year-old girl using Snapchat and Chat Avenue on 23 and 26 September 2022. He asked the “girl” to send intimate photos.
But the “child” was actually an undercover police officer. The British Transport Police (BTP) launched an immediate investigation after tracing Chatfield’s IP address and discovering he was an officer.
BTP Shocked and Furious
“As police officers it is our overriding duty to protect the public and particularly the vulnerable from harm, so it is profoundly disturbing to know that a serving officer could ever consider exploiting a child for their own sexual gain,” said Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland.
“I speak for everyone at British Transport Police when I say we are all truly shocked and appalled by the actions of James Chatfield. He does not represent our values and now he has been criminally convicted, we will be looking to fast track his disciplinary proceedings as soon as practicably possible.”
“It is thanks to the swift and thorough investigation by our Professional Standards Department that Chatfield was arrested, charged, and brought before the courts to face justice within two months of these abhorrent offences.”
Next Steps for Chatfield
Chatfield will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on a date yet to be announced.
