A METROPOLITAN POLICE officer has been charged with child sexual abuse offences.

Detective Constable Chris Maitland- who is based on the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command – is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

The 40-year-old is charged with 14 counts of sexual abuse:

Two counts of sexual touching of a girl under 13 years,
Five counts of taking an indecent image of a child,
Seven counts of making an indecent image of a child

He was originally arrested on 22 November 2015 on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

He was taken into custody and subsequently bailed pending further inquiries.

On 15 March he was further arrested on suspicion of sexual touching and was later charged.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that DC Maitland is currently suspended from duty.

Read: Court hears details of how Adam Johnson met with underage girl for ‘thank you kiss and more’>

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Police officer from sexual offences squad charged with child sex abuse

Read: Court hears details of how Adam Johnson met with underage girl for ‘thank you kiss and more’>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.