A COMMUNITY policeman has pleaded guilty to sending sex texts to a child.
David Harrison, 28, of Jefferies Way, Stanford-le-Hope, was charged with two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. The offences were alleged to have happened in Corringham during April, where he was based as a police community support officer.
He denied the charges and was due to stand trial at Basildon Crown Court on Monday.
But the Crown Prosecution Service brought a third charge of causing or inciting a girl under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity which he pleaded guilty to just before the trial started. The third charge relates to text messages he sent to a girl on May 19 last year.
The two previous charges were ordered to lie on file. Harrison, who once worked as a council community warden, was suspended from his job as a PCSO on full pay during the investigation.
PCSOs work up to 37 hours a week and Essex Police’s starting salary is £18,006 a year.
Harrison resigned from the position before he was due to stand trial for the offences.
A spokesman for Essex Police said they had taken action as soon as the allegations came to light.
He said: “As soon as were aware of this allegation, we investigated it thoroughly, as we do for any such serious matter. Mr Harrison has resigned from his job, and all further action is now a matter for the criminal court.”
Harrison is due at Basildon Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Monday, February 14.
Tuesday 18th January 2011
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