Retired Met police officers charged with child sex offenceson January 19, 2023 at 3:15 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The charges relate to an investigation into a serving Met chief inspector, who was later found dead.

File photo of exterior of New Scotland Yard in London.Image source, EPA

Two retired Metropolitan Police officers have been charged with child sex offences, as part of an investigation into a serving Met chief inspector who was found dead.

The Met said the charges follow an investigation into Richard Watkinson.

His death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Jack Addis, 63, from Perthshire, and Jeremy Laxton, 62, from Lincolnshire, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 9 February.

Ch Insp Watkinson, 49 was a serving chief inspector for neighbourhood policing in the West Area Command Unit. He had been suspended from duty following his arrest.

He was found dead in Buckinghamshire on 12 January, the same day the Met says he was due to be charged with conspiracy to distribute or show indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent photos of a child, voyeurism and two counts of misconduct in public office.

An inquest into Ch Insp Watkinson’s death has opened and adjourned.

Cmdr Jon Savell from the Met’s professional standards team said: “Ch Insp Watkinson was facing extremely serious and concerning charges, as the result of a painstaking and thorough police investigation.

“Before this matter came to light, we had no previous information about these allegations or to indicate the officer posed any risk to the public.

“He had not faced any other criminal or conduct matters during his Met career.”

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

‘It is a sleeping giant’ – meet the Englishman bidding to end Canada’s World Cup miseryon January 27, 2022 at 6:23 am

BBC Sport's Simon Stone talks to Canada's English coach John Herdman, who has taken them to the verge of World Cup qualification.

Islamic State leader ‘taken off battlefield’ in Syria raid, US sayson February 3, 2022 at 1:30 pm

Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi was the target of a US special forces raid in Syria, President Biden says.Image source, EPAA US special forces raid in...

Tesco: People watching every penny to make ends meeton October 5, 2022 at 6:37 am

The UK's largest supermarket chain has announced a further boost to pay for its UK workers.Image source, Getty ImagesTesco has said people are "watching...

Hamilton takes Saudi Arabian GP pole as Verstappen crasheson December 4, 2021 at 6:05 pm

Lewis Hamilton takes pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as title rival Max Verstappen crashes trying to beat the Mercedes driver's time.

Climate change: Avocados and exotic plants grow in hot UK summeron August 28, 2022 at 12:00 am

Gardeners say that warmer weather is boosting the growth of figs, watermelon and other exotic plants.Image source, Oliver Dixon/RHSRecord-breaking hot and dry weather this...