Paedophile police officer jailed for indecent images

Detective Constable Brian Rouse, 48, was arrested last year after his details emerged during an investigation into online child abuse.

Rouse was based at Bovingdon Prison, Herts, and was suspended from duty when the allegations came to light.

He pleaded guilty to four charges of making indecent images of children at a hearing last month at Aylesbury Crown Court and was sentenced on Wednesday.

The offences occurred between January 2010 and July 2015.

Rouse, from Watford, has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years and is the subject of a Sex Offenders Prevention Order for the same period.

Temporary assistant chief constable Bill Jephson said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to ensuring that its officers and staff uphold the highest standards of integrity and that we are accountable to the public we serve.

“Where those standards are not met, it is right that a full investigation takes place and appropriate action taken.

“In the case of Brian Rouse, his conduct fell way below what is expected in Hertfordshire.”

He added: “Cases like this do have a damaging impact on the majority of committed and dedicated officers and police staff who joined Hertfordshire Constabulary to serve the public and make Hertfordshire a safe county.”

Rouse is currently suspended from duty, a dismissal hearing will be held at a later date.

The investigation which caught Rouse involved the National Crime Agency.