A police officer faces jail after he admitted downloading thousands of images of child sex images.
Darren Dearling, 42, of Bramblewood Close, Carshalton, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court last week to downloading the images.
The photos, believed to have been downloaded over a four year period, featured level four images - the second-highest level of depravity - which can include scenes of child rape.
Dearling, a police sergeant, who pleaded guilty to 12 charges of downloading indecent photographs of children at Isleworth Crown Court, worked for Westminster police.
He was suspended by the force after his arrest on March 22 following a raid on his home.
He was charged on August 19 and will be sentenced on December 16.
Commander Peter Spindler, of the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards, said: "Criminal behaviour of this abhorrent nature by any of our employees will be dealt with swiftly and firmly.
"Now the judicial process has concluded, we will be convening a gross misconduct hearing against this officer, who is a discredit to himself and the service."
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