Yahoo News Police chief says suspended sentence handed to officer for indecent child images was ‘too lenient’
A police boss has said a suspended sentenced handed to a former officer for making hundreds of indecent images of children was “too lenient”.
Lee Bartram, 44, a former inspector in the West Midlands Police, escaped a prison sentence last Thursday after he admitted making and distributing more than 450 indecent images of children.
He was sacked from the force last September for gross misconduct.
More than 450 indecent child images were found on electronic devices seized from his home, including footage of an eight or nine-year-old boy walking through Birmingham City Centre, filmed while he was on duty.
Bartram, from Bustleholme Lane, West Bromwich, admitted misconduct in public office, eight charges of making indecent images and two of distributing them.
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As well as receiving the suspended sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
But in a statement issued by West Midlands Police the day after sentencing, Chief Constable Dave Thompson called for the sentence to be reviewed.
He said: “Lee Bartram was yesterday sentenced to 16 months in jail, suspended for two years, having been convicted of possessing indecent images of children and misconduct in a public office.
“The public expect the protection of the police and do not expect officers to break the law.
“This case is very serious and the sentence, in my view, is too lenient for such crimes.
“West Midlands Police officers are today discussing the sentencing decision with the Crown Prosecution Service and the subject of an appeal against his sentence.”
The area’s Police and Crime Commissioner is also working with the Home Office to obtain permission to withhold Bartram’s pension, the force said.
