A senior Metropolitan police officer who was facing charges of possessing child pornography has been found dead at his home.
According to LBC:
Chief inspector Richard Watkinson, who was accused of having a stash of boys’ underwear and child pornography in a secret room, did not turn up to a police station on the day he was to be charged, the Sun reported.
Watkinson, who had potential access to schools, reportedly had a secret room in his Buckinghamshire home, hidden behind a trap door, where he kept the pants, sex toys and horrific images of child abuse.
Met officers and the police watchdog IOPC launched a joint investigation into Watkinson, and they found the room in a July 2021 raid.
The abuse images were Category A and B, meaning the abuse captured was of the worst levels. There was no evidence that he had personally abused any child.
Watkinson, 49, was arrested on July 9 that year on suspicion of misconduct, sending obscene messages, corrupt exercise of police powers and data protection breaches.
He was re-arrested nearly two weeks later on suspicion of offences that included conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children, voyeurism and misconduct in public office.
Watkinson’s arrest was a shock for the Met, given the severity of his alleged offences, and his seniority and popularity within the force.
He had been due to turn up to a police station last week to be charged with seven offences. The alarm was raised when he never arrived.
A source said that Watkinson may have taken his own life “because of all the pressure he was under”.
