Child abuse detective admits sexually touching a girl Published duration 15 April 2016

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

Det Con Christopher Maitland, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually touching a child under the age of 13 in 2005.

He had previously admitted 12 charges of taking and making indecent images of a child.

He works in the Met's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command and is currently suspended from duty.

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

'Gruesome'

Maitland, of Widey View, Plymouth, was originally arrested in November 2015 on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children and then re-arrested in March on suspicion of sexual touching after the offences were discovered to have been captured on film.

Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith sitting at Southwark Crown Court said all sentencing options remain open and ordered a pre-sentence report.

"The sexual assault was one in which the complainant was unaware," he said.

He added: "However, the material on the computer was pretty gruesome so unusually I can't give an indication I am afraid - all options are open."

He will sentenced on 13 May.