Sex-offender PC guilty of gross misconduct

A police officer who admitted to crimes involving the sexual exploitation of a child has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

Former PC Elliot Wright, of Bedfordshire Police, admitted two charges of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, taking a child without lawful authority and committing an act to pervert the course of justice.

Wright, 29, of Henlow, Bedfordshire, had already been sacked from the force but a panel ruled he would have been dismissed for gross misconduct anyway.

He is due to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on 16 October.

The offences took place while Wright was working for the roads policing unit.

A police hearing on Friday found his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

The chief constable highlighted in his findings that Wright was aware the victim was vulnerable and had attempted to destroy evidence of his misconduct.

In the report, Bedfordshire officers were praised for intervening before Wright could "commit potentially further serious offences".

It was found the officer breached standards or professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

Wright has been banned from returning to policing or similar professions.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said: "There is no room for those who break the law or abuse their position in any way.

“Police officers are trained to identify vulnerability so they can protect people from harm.

"Wright used that training, and his position as a police officer, to abuse some of the most vulnerable young girls for his own means.

“The actions of this officer have significantly damaged the trust of the public and have made the job of those who continue to do their very best to serve the public even harder."

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