Met Police officer who had a child abuse video on her phone avoids jail

A highly decorated police officer who had a child abuse video on her phone has avoided a jail term.

Novlett Robyn Williams, who was commended for her work after the Grenfell disaster, was told her long career was all but over after being sentenced to 200 hours of community service for possession of an indecent image.

The court heard that the 54-year-old had received the video from her older sister, co-defendant Jennifer Hodge, via WhatsApp.

The court accepted Superintendent Williams did not view the material, although jurors were not convinced by her claim she was unaware of its presence on her phone.

The judge said: "You have had a stellar career in the police force over 30 years. That is amply demonstrated by the awards you received, the rank you achieved, and truly outstanding character references.

"Against this background, it is completely tragic you found yourself in the position you now do.

"The consequences to you of this conviction will undoubtedly be immense, particularly as far as your employment and your career are concerned."

Scotland Yard said Williams remains on restricted duties, though she could yet end up losing her career pending a misconduct investigation into the matter.

Prosecutors said there was no way that Williams could have missed the 54-second clip, originally sent to Hodge from her long-term boyfriend Dido Massivi, and cited a response from the officer to her older sister to "please call" as evidence that she wanted to discuss the content.

The court heard Williams had an exemplary disciplinary record, was highly regarded for her work both in the aftermath of Grenfell and at successive Notting Hill Carnivals, and was awarded the Queen's Policing Medal for distinguished service in 2003.

Williams faced a second charge, of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privilege by failing to notify officers about the video, but was found not guilty by jurors.

Hodge, 56, of Brent in northwest London, was found guilty of distributing an indecent image of a child - and she told the court her actions were intended to find the abuser responsible.

She was sentenced to 100 hours' community service.

The court heard she was sacked as a social worker with Scope following her arrest.

Her long-term boyfriend Dido Massivi, 61, also of Brent, was convicted of two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image portraying a person having sex with a horse.

He was handed an 18-month sentence for each offence, to run concurrently, and suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service.

The court heard he was sacked as a bus driver, his job for 20 years, after being arrested.

All three will be placed on the sex offenders' register - Hodge and Williams for five years, and Massivi for 10.

Prosecutors said there was no suggestion the defendants derived any sexual gratification from any of the content.