Ex-Detective Nabbed for Trying to Sext ‘Teen Girl’ Online
A former Sussex detective has been found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual chat with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl online — but it was actually an adult sting operation.
Damien Gibbons, 48, Convicted at Guildford Crown Court
Damien Gibbons, previously known as Damien Cotgreave, faced trial at Guildford Crown Court that began December 18. The 48-year-old, from High Street, Hailsham, admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a minor over the internet.
Michelle Shepherd, Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “Cotgreave thought he was talking to a 13-year-old girl and engaged in explicit sexual conversation. In reality, he was chatting with an adult member of the public who reported it to police. We acted quickly to arrest him and protect any real children.”
“Anyone suspecting this kind of behaviour should contact police immediately.”
Suspended Cop Turned Perp: A Fall from Grace
- When arrested in February 2020, Gibbons was serving as a Detective Constable.
- He was suspended immediately and later resigned.
- In a separate January 2021 misconduct hearing, he was found guilty of multiple breaches of professional standards unrelated to this case.
- He would have been sacked if he hadn’t resigned.
Gibbons has since been placed on the College of Policing’s Barred and Advisory List, barring him from any future law enforcement roles.
This case began after a tip-off to Sussex Police, triggering an investigation by their specialist Paedophile Online Investigation Team.
Sentence: Suspended Jail and Tough Restrictions
In April 2021, Gibbons was charged and has now been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence. On top of that, he must obey a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), slapping strict bans on his access to computers and children.
