A former police inspector has been jailed for making indecent pictures of children and trying to arrange to meet children for sex.

John Nichols, 51, was given a 30-month sentence and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

The officer, who worked for Bedfordshire Police until the allegations came to light, pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent images of children, and attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence.

He was caught having sexually explicit and graphic conversations in chat rooms.

Nichols said he liked “yng girls” and suggested to one user that he would like to meet his daughters for sex and that they should wear Hello Kitty underwear.

Nichols, who’s married and from Bedford, told the same user in another conversation that younger girls were “less likely to tell and remember when older”. He also sent images of his genitalia.

Thirty-nine category C pictures were found on his devices.

Police investigating killing of pensioner, 87, on mobility scooter release pictures of man running from scene with knife

Cost of living latest: It might not look like it, but there was some good news beneath today’s inflation figure – Ian King

Body of ‘hero’ British father found in Italian lake after he jumped from boat to save son

He was caught after a covert online investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police

Louise Clissold, a senior crown prosecutor, said: “As a serving police officer, it is hugely concerning that such sexually explicit messaging and indecent images of children were found on John Nichols’ phone.

“Although no sexual activity is known to have taken place, Nichols’ actions were vile and a grave abuse of trust.”

Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra, from Bedfordshire Police, said the offences were “vile”.

“Nichols was immediately removed from all duties as soon as these allegations came to light, and then retired from the force prior to his first hearing,” said Mr Basra.

Related posts:

When might I get a COVID vaccine? Plan not to prioritise vaccines for police and teachers a ‘damaging betrayal’ Nurses reveal plans for ‘summer of action’ over NHS pay rise English football to introduce heading guidance across all levels amid brain injury risks Online hate for MPs is ‘out of control’, says deputy PM, in wake of Sir David Amess murder MP murder suspect was happy at Christian school and sang hymns as a boy, says former teacher ‘Disappointment’ at man’s jail sentence for raping and murdering pensioner in her own home Four men found guilty of trying to smuggle 69 migrants into UK on ‘deathtrap’ fishing boat Houses shake, windows rattle and ground trembles during ‘sonic event’ in Yorkshire Police probe after ‘India fans racially abused’ during England test match Unarmed suspect shot dead by police was lawfully killed, public inquiry concludes Heatwave expected to hit UK next week as temperatures could reach mid-30s