Ex-police officer sentenced for child sex offence

A former police officer has been sentenced to 28 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, having pleaded guilty to a child sex offence.

Barry Geering, 44, of Ealing, London, was arrested in April 2024, following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

He was immediately suspended from duty and resigned from the force two months later.

The former Wiltshire Police constable was sentenced at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday and has also been placed on the Sex Offenders' register for seven years.

Geering pleaded guilty in May to attempted sexual communication with a child under 16.

He was caught as part of a proactive operation by a team at SWROCU, who work alongside a national network of officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

In addition to his sentence, Geering will also have to undergo 30 days of rehabilitation and undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.

Temporary Det Insp Alex Spargo from the Online Investigations Team at SWROCU explained how the former officer was identified.

"Barry Geering thought he was communicating with a child when he used Snapchat to engage in sexual communications. The work of our team means he was promptly identified and arrested – and, critically, he no longer works as a police officer."

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said she was "appalled by the actions of this former officer."

"I also recognise that this may impact upon trust and confidence our communities have in Wiltshire Police," she said.

"The abhorrent crime, for which he has been sentenced, is against everything that we represent.

"Our core priority is to protect the most vulnerable in society, and to keep everyone safe."

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