Two gay police officers are currently on trial accused of possessing indecent images of children.

The photographs and video clips were discovered in the desk of Detective Constable Graham Ferguson in his office in Putney. He had been off sick for several weeks and officers came across the material when they decided to tidy his disk. This led to a further search of Det. Con. Ferguson's home where he lived with his partner PC Gerard Collins, aged 27 who works for British Transport Police. Further material was allegedly found at the property including a CD containing child pornography under their bed.

Det Sgt Tim Thorne, giving evidence said: "If it is evidence of a crime it should be in a police evidence bag and sealed. If it was a working copy it should still be labelled and also sealed".

Det Con Ferguson worked in the Met's Professional Standards Directorate which investigates any alleged misconduct by other officers.

The two officers deny six counts of making and possessing child pornography.

July 15, 2008