Police Dogs Sniff Out Digital Proof in Sex Offender Hunt
Nicky Paul Mitchell, 38, admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) multiple times at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 December.
High-Risk Sex Offender Caught with Hidden Devices
Mitchell’s SHPO banned him from hiding or using internet-enabled devices without telling his offender manager. Yet, he was caught with undeclared gadgets and banned apps on several occasions.
Officers suspected he was hiding more devices at his home on Horsenden Lane South, UB6. Enter Cocker Spaniel Police Dog Rhubarb and Labrador PD Jake, fresh into their operational roles and brought in by Ealing’s Jigsaw team on 19 November. Their mission: sniff out concealed tech evidence.
Dog Unit Uncovers Hidden Tech Stash
With handlers PCs Brett French and Chris Duffee, Rhubarb and Jake used their specialised training to track down digital electronics. They found a haul of nine items, including:
- 1 mobile phone
- 1 Samsung tablet
- 1 camcorder
- 3 USB sticks
- 1 small hard drive
Mitchell was arrested the next day and charged with six counts of breaching his SHPO.
Met Commends Police Dogs and Officers for Cracking Case
“This is a brilliant result for both the dogs and their handlers, especially on their first operational search,” said Chief Superintendent Karen Findlay, who leads the Met’s Taskforce. “It shows the dedication and hard work from dog school and officers has truly paid off.”
PC Charlotte Elliott, lead investigator, added: “Mitchell tried to hide devices multiple times. Without the dog unit’s help, we might never have found them so quickly.
This operation was a team effort across the Met, uniting different skills to catch a high-risk and dangerous offender. We look forward to working with Rhubarb, Jake, and their handlers again.”
Mitchell will be sentenced at a later date.
