A detective working in a child abuse investigation unit has admitted to sexually touching a young girl.

Detective Constable Christopher Maitland pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually touching a child under the age of 13 in June 2005 at Southwark Crown Court, London.

In March, the 40-year-old pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court to five charges of taking and seven charges of making indecent images of a child.

It is alleged the officer had 818 indecent images and videos, which vary from the most serious category A to the lowest category C.

Maitland, who is part of the Metropolitan Police’s sexual offences, exploitations and child abuse command, is currently suspended from duty.

In court, Maitland spoke only to plead guilty to both charges.

Maitland, of Widey View, Plymouth, was initially arrested on 22 November on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

He was re-arrested on 15 March on suspicion of sexual touching after it was discovered the offences had been captured on film.

He will be sentenced for a total of 14 sexual offences on 13 May at Southwark Crown Court.

Remanding him in custody and ordering a pre-sentence report, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said: “The sexual assault was one in which the complainant was unaware. She appears to be unaware of it.

“However, the material on the computer was pretty gruesome so unusually I can’t give an indication I am afraid – all options are open.”