Police inspector, 44, charged with possessing indecent images of children 

Policeman Lee Bartram (pictured), 44, has pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children

A police inspector has pleaded guilty to making more than 300 indecent images. 

Lee Bartram, 44, filmed himself blaming a six-year-old boy’s partners for dressing the child ‘in an attractive way’.

The well-known officer for West Midlands Police, appeared before magistrates today.

The court heard how the Birmingham city centre inspector followed children and recorded them while making a lewd commentary.  

He pleaded guilty to five counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and two of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

He appeared before Walsall Magistrates’ Court where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, nationality and enter his pleas.

The court heard he had been remanded in custody after breaking his bail conditions by filming a 15-year-old boy with commentary saying ‘what he’d like to do to him.’

Similar recordings were uncovered with one of Bartram following a boy aged just six and blaming the parents for dressing him in an ‘attractive way’

Bartram sat handcuffed with his head in his hands wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans and was flanked by two security guards in the dock during the 30 minute hearing.

A further application for bail, before his sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 13, was also denied.

Bartram (pictured) appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court today after he was arrested at home 

Bartram (pictured) appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court today after he was arrested at home 

District Judge Graham Wilkinson said: ‘This is a matter that must be considered by the crown court.

‘You will know better than most when dealing with bail I take the crown’s case as the strongest.

‘The videoing of the child happened when you were subject to bail that is the case that passes before me and you have continued to show an interest in underage boys.

‘I have no option but to remand you in custody, the prison service is adept at protecting the vulnerable prisoners and we know this is a serious matter.

‘It will be flagged up that you are not placed on an open wing and treated as the most vulnerable sort of prisoner.

‘You will also be required to be on the Sex Offenders Register.’

Mark Cooper, prosecuting, said: ‘Mr Bartram was granted bail but he had filmed a teenage boy and provided a commentary on what he’d like to do with the boy who was 15 years old.

‘The filming happened after he was placed on bail.

‘It has since been found out there are similar recordings where he’s followed young children as young as the age of six which also records the commentary and effectively blames the parents for dressing him in the way that was to attract Mr Bartram.

An application for bail was made by his solicitor, Mr Hopkins, which was refused by the district judge

An application for bail was made by his solicitor, Mr Hopkins, which was refused by the district judge

‘There are a number of intimations that the defendant was going to commit suicide, a cold and calculated decision where he weighed the pros and cons of what he was going to lose and what his life was going to be like.

‘His fantasises have moved from the virtual world to the physical world and become more and more worrying.

‘The Crown is seeking his remand for his own protection.’

Four of the counts Bartram admits relate to making and distributing category C and B images on May 15 this year.

Three of the charges range from making images between August 15, 2013 and August 15 this year including one count of making 290 category C images.

Speaking in favour on the defences application to prevent the publication of his address, Judge Wilkinson said: ‘Sadly we live in an arena of new terrorism where serving police officers are targets and members of his family will be targeted.

‘He is likely to be targeted for the most serious incidents of violence and is not in the public interest.

‘Safety is my priority, his address must not be published by any person at any point.’   

An application for bail was made by his solicitor, Mr Hopkins, which was refused by the district judge.

Bartram was remanded in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 13 for sentencing.

Because he has been convicted of a sexual offence, he was also added to the sex offenders registers.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said Bartram had been suspended from the force while proceedings continue.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.  



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