Paedophile copper sentenced to four months behind bars

A paedophile police officer was sentenced to four months in prison yesterday (Wednesday, March 30) for making indecent images of children.
The Mount prison, BovingdonThe Mount prison, Bovingdon
The Mount prison, Bovingdon

Detective Constable Brian Rouse, 48, was based at HMP The Mount prison in Bovingdon and has been suspended from duty since the case came to light.

He had pleaded guilty to four charges at a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court last month.

Rouse, from Watford, was arrested last year after his details emerged during an investigation into online child abuse, which also involved the National Crime Agency.

The offences occurred between January 2010 and July 2015.

As well as the prison sentence, Rouse has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and is the subject of a Sex Offenders Prevention Order, which will also run for seven years.

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.”