Firearms officer is jailed after secretly contacting prostitutes

Obsessed firearms officer is jailed after secretly contacting prostitutes using the police database then having sex with them

  • Christopher Taylor, 36, from Rochdale, carried out more than 700 searches
  • He contacted three known prostitutes while on duty and met one of them for sex
  • The former officer was jailed for eight months at Liverpool Crown Court today
  • Pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of breaching section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 

A former police officer who contacted prostitutes using the Police National Computer before meeting them for sex has been jailed.

Christopher Taylor, 36, from Rochdale, who contacted three known sex workers while on duty and met one of them for sex on two occasions, was suspended in March 2019 following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Anti-Corruption Unit.

Today the former GMP officer was jailed for eight months at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office, and unauthorised access to the police computer.    

The court heard how Taylor, who worked with the Tactical Firearms Unit, carried out more than 700 searches to gather information about family, friends, police officers, organised crime groups and sex workers between June 2017 and March 2019. 

Christopher Taylor (pictured), 36, from Rochdale, who worked with the Tactical Firearms Unit for Greater Manchester Police, contacted three known sex workers while on duty

The officer, whose unauthorised searches on the Greater Manchester force’s computer system date back to March 2013, was suspended in 2019 following an investigation by GMP’S Anti-Corruption Unit.

Appearing in court today, Taylor, who previously worked at GMP’s Openshaw complex, pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of breaching section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990. 

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘An ex-police officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office.

‘PC Christopher Taylor was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court earlier today to eight months in prison.

‘He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of breaching section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

‘An investigation by GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit found that between March 2018 and March 2019, PC Taylor contacted three known sex-workers on a number of occasions whilst he was on duty.

‘On two occasions, Taylor also met one of the women for sex whilst off duty. The court also heard that he met other sex workers and used their services.

‘The investigation also found that PC Taylor had carried out over 700 unauthorised searches of secure information held on GMP systems between June 2017 and March 2019.

‘The searches included information regarding family and friends, other police officers, organised crime group members and individuals believed to be sex-workers.

Appearing in Liverpool Crown Court today, Taylor pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of breaching section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990

Appearing in Liverpool Crown Court today, Taylor pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of breaching section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990

‘Taylor has been suspended from duty since his crimes first came to light in March 2019.’

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Chadwick, Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: ‘PC Chris Taylor’s behaviour fell well below the standard rightly expected of a police officer by the public.

‘He showed a blatant disregard for his role as a police officer and abused the powers afforded to him, effectively betraying the trust of the public and his fellow officers in the process.

‘We take offences such as this incredibly seriously so once his offending came to light he was quickly suspended from duty and his access to any restricted information removed.

‘The severity of his misconduct is reflected in the sentence passed today and I hope it will serve as a stark reminder of the consequences people will face if they abuse their position for their own gain.’ 

According to the the BBC while sentencing Taylor today, Judge David Aubrey QC said: ‘You crossed the boundaries of your duties as a police officer and did so knowingly.

‘You were accessing the computer for your own interest, including your own sexual interest and gratification. It had become an addiction and an obsession.’

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