A former Metropolitan Police officer from Bromley has avoided jail after admitting to sending sexual messages to a 15-year-old boy.

Pc Will Scott-Barrett, 33, was handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Isleworth Crown Court.

The court previously heard that he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual communication with a child on or before February 3 last year.

An earlier hearing was told he was in contact with the youngster using the Snapchat and Discord social media apps from April 2020.

Scott-Barrett, of Bromley, sent messages including graphic sexual pictures and videos to the boy, who cannot be named.

The officer was off-duty at the time of his offending, which is not said to have been connected with his role in the force.

He has since resigned from his post.

A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Police said a misconduct hearing found that if Scott-Barrett had not resigned he would have been dismissed.

During sentencing, Judge Robin Johnson said: “This is undoubtedly a sad case. Sad for you, in that you lost your job and your good character, but also sad, troubling and worrying for the family (of the victim).

“My sympathies are with the victim and his family rather than you.

“This kind of offending harms children, that is self-evident. The harm done to the victim is incalculable.

“You were previously of good character, you were a serving police officer at the time.

“I have accepted that you expressed genuine remorse and are taking steps to assess your offending.”

Scott-Barrett, wearing a navy suit, light blue shirt and pink patterned tie, remained silent throughout the hearing.

He must undertake rehabilitation for 40 days and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Scott-Barrett has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge and the statutory surcharge, and may be subject to an order from the Disclosure and Barring Service, depending on if the agency decides it is appropriate.

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