Wrexham man had indecent images while serving with police

Jacob Clarke, of Mold Road in Wrexham, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.

The 23-year-old had previously admitted three offences of making indecent images of children between February 2021 and August 2022.

John Wyn Williams, prosecuting, told the court that during the time of the offences, the defendant held a job at a hotel in Wrexham - as well as volunteering as a Special Constable with North Wales Police.

His offending came to light after his boyfriend became suspicious of his secrecy over a computer.

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When the device was accessed, it turned out Clarke had been pretending to be a 12 or 13-year-old boy.

Further examinations by the defendant's partner revealed sexual images of children, following which the police were called.

When officers attended and cautioned him, Clarke told them: "I was just trying to do something good, I'm trying to set up my own sting group.

"My life's ruined now, you guys might as well take everything."

The defendant claimed that by setting up a sting group, he aimed to bring those responsible for such indecent images to justice.

He maintained the lie through two subsequent police interviews and even with a probation officer as recently as the day before his sentencing.

But the court heard that following advice from his defending counsel Robin Boag, Clarke has now dropped the claim and accepts it had been untrue.

There had been no evidence at all to substantiate his claim in any event, which Mr Boag accepted, telling the court: "Clearly the fact he had images over 18 months and didn't do anything in terms of a sting made no sense."

Mr Wyn Williams said the images had been found on the defendant's own devices, not police ones, with a total of 32 at category A (the most serious,) 16 at category B and 41 at category C.

The images displayed predominantly male children aged between two and 14 engaging in sexual acts.

Jacob Clarke (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)

Given he was a Special Constable with North Wales Police, the defendant was taken to Blacon Police Station to be interviewed by Cheshire Police officers.

En route, he told the officers: "I knew I should have stopped doing it when I joined the police - I've been expecting this to be honest."

Mr Boag told the court: "Yes, he did have interests in the police and joined as a special constable.

"But any hopes of a career in the police are obviously gone now, and he is no longer in that capacity.

"Whilst it is of concern, his having that role and the behaviour, he has not in any way abused any power he had as a special to commit an offence.

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"But the negative effect is that it's another case that doesn't shed good light on the force at a time when they are under pressure."

Mr Boag told the court his client's father had died unexpectedly a week ago and he hoped to help with funeral arrangements if he kept his liberty.

He asked Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones to consider suspending any sentence, adding Clarke would "welcome the opportunity to tackle matters by means of rehabilitation."

But Recorder Lloyd Jones told the defendant: "It doesn't need me to tell you these are thoroughly disgusting offences.

"It should never be forgotten that real children are abused in order to produce these sickening photographs and movies.

"And sadly the fact you were a Special Constable is a real aggravating feature in this case.

"The public are entitled to think that those looking after them are going to behave properly; not like this.

"When interviewed, you tried to weave a story that you were doing this in the public good, but there's no truth in that whatsoever as you have now agreed.

"I'm entirely satisfied that you did what you did for your own selfish sexual gratification.

"I cannot suspend the sentence in this case. I wouldn't be doing my job properly."

Clarke wept loudly in the dock as he was jailed for a total of eight months.