Downing Street PC dismissed over obscene images

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27835947

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A Downing Street police officer who shared extreme pornography on his phone while on duty has been dismissed.

PC James Addison, 37, sent pornographic videos and stills to colleagues using a social networking app while working as a protection officer at Downing Street.

He sent other officers "disgusting and offensive" images that included bizarre sex acts and scenes showing defecation.

The images were found on his phone during the investigation into the so called "Plebgate" affair.

Former government chief whip Andrew Mitchell MP was accused of calling officers plebs during an argument at the gates of Downing Street - an allegation he has denied.

No further action was taken against Addison over that matter.

PC Addison, from Rayleigh in Essex, admitted to sharing the images and was suspended from duty in December 2013.

In May, at Westminster Magistrates' Court, he was sentenced to a £6,000 fine, £120 victim surcharge and forfeiture of his mobile phone after he admitted 11 counts of publishing an obscene article.

Earlier, at a special case hearing, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, two offences of discreditable conduct were found proven against him and he was dismissed.

Following his dismissal, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Fiona Taylor, the Met's directorate of professional standards, said: "We set the highest standards for our officers.

"They know the law and that the sharing of obscene images is illegal."