Met officer who uploaded child abuse videos avoids prison

A former Metropolitan Police officer who confessed to uploading child abuse images of young girls while at work has dodged prison.  

Stuart Mason, 50, pleaded guilty to six offences of uploading the most serious child pornography - Category A - of videos of girls as young as eight.

The cop, who had been addicted to porn since 2019 and joined Sexaholics Anonymous, uploaded some of the images from his workplace, the court heard.  

Mason, who worked in the Violent Crime Task Force, quit the Met after his arrest in January 2023.

He has since walked free after being handed a two-year suspended prison sentence. 

Prosecuting, Christina Rowberry, said Sussex Police tracked down Mason after they were alerted by the National Crime Agency.

'NCA obtained information in December 2022 that indecent images and videos were being uploaded from a Kik messaging account.

'The phone number and email address linked to defendant.'

The images and video were uploaded in a 24-hour period from his family home and from his police station using his personal mobile phone in November 2022.

Ms Rowberry said the distress of a child in one of the uploads and his status as a serving police officer showed how his conduct had betrayed public trust in the police.

'The Met were updated and he was suspended on date of arrest. Disciplinary proceedings followed,' Ms Rowberry said.

Campaspe Lloyd Jacob, defending Mason, told the Crown Court in Hove the husband and father was absolutely devastated by what he had done.

'He can quite understand the full grounds,' she said. 'He has had a long career in work but everything in his life is now destroyed.'

Ms Lloyd Jacob said Mason had been promoted beyond his capabilities and struggled when he lost a significant case.

'He became addicted to porn in 2019 when his life was at a low ebb.

'He was one of the first on the scene at Croydon tram crash.'

Mr Lloyd Jacob added: 'He considered leaving police but stayed in a job he was struggling in.

'He could not be more ashamed,' she said: 'He realised he had crossed a line.'

Mason resigned immediately from police following his arrest and got a job as an HGV driver.

Recorder Tom Nicholson-Pratt told Mason his long career as a police officer was now in tatters.

'You fall to be sentenced for six offences of distribution of indecent images of children.

'At least one involving penetrative activity with a child. The children involved were 8-10 and 14-16, obviously young. You pleaded guilty early and are entitled to full credit.

'That you have no previous convictions is hardly surprising given your occupation for many, many years.

'Your long career as a police officer is now in tatters.

'What I know about you and the limited nature of the offending is why I can just about suspend your sentence.'

Mason, who now lives in Bromley, was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years.

Mason was ordered to pay £150 and the victim surcharge, as well as being ordered to do 25 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work.  

He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is a registered sex offender.

A Metropolitan Police Force spokesperson said:  'We are aware that a former Met officer has been sentenced after pleading guilty to indecent images of children offences following an investigation by Sussex Police.

'Stuart Mason was given a suspended sentence of two years.

'Following his arrest the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards supported the Sussex Police investigation.

'Mason, who was a constable attached to Frontline Policing, was suspended in January 2023. He resigned in February 2024.'