Crystal Meth
A former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been jailed for two years for possessing child pornography which he obtained by swapping drugs for the images, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
James Wicks, 35, who served for Thames Valley Police, pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to the distribution of indecent images, six counts of possessing indecent images and a further charge of supplying a class A drug.
He was suspended following his arrest in June last year and resigned from his post in the Reading area of Berkshire in October.
As well as distributing the videos through Skype, Wicks, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, discussed travelling to Thailand to rape children, according to the CPS.
Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell, of Thames Valley Police, said: "The actions of former PCSO James Wicks are absolutely reprehensible. He has shown complete disregard for the standards expected of him by committing such criminal offences.
"The harm the possession and distribution of these images will have caused their victims will be lasting and cannot be measured. Drugs also cause communities and users untold devastation and Wicks' actions are completely contrary to what those in our force work to prevent."
Following the sentencing, John Montague, senior district crown prosecutor, said: "This case is simply shocking and disturbing.
"The movies found in possession of James Wicks can be described as some of the worst type classified as category A seen by experienced officers in the child abuse team.
"The idea that some individuals find these scenes 'enjoyable' and download such images for their own sexual gratification is simply sickening and very disturbing. Their actions contribute to the continuous sexual abuse of children.
"The fact that James Wicks, a PCSO for Thames Valley Police, had in his possession these movies and images, is even more alarming. His duty was to care for the community, not to pose a serious risk.
"Wicks had admitted attending a friend's address and taking with him Crystal Meth which he shared for the purposes of sexual pleasure and in exchange for indecent movies of children.
"These were put on a memory stick which he took away with him. Taking the drug lowered his inhibitions which led to conversations on social media and on some occasions distributing the movies he had in his possession.
"He distributed through Skype three of those movies, which depicted the sexual abuse of children for the 'entertainment' of other ill-minded individuals.
"Internet-based chats were retrieved from Mr Wicks's computer which included conversations between himself and like-minded people discussing him travelling to Thailand to rape children with friends."