Richard Wright QC and Kate Batty prosecute as Helicopter sex film PC is jailed

Richard Wright QC and Kate Batty prosecute as Helicopter sex film PC is jailed

8th August 2017 Park Square Barristers

A ‘sex-obsessed’ police officer has been jailed for twelve months after using his force helicopter to film people having sex. He admitted to four charges of misconduct in a public office.

Pogmore, 51, was described as “a swinging and sex-obsessed air observer”.

Sentencing him, Judge Peter Kelson QC told Pogmore: “You spied on and recorded these naked people from a height of 1,000ft. You quite literally considered yourself above the law.”

Amongst the video footage was a couple sitting naked by a caravan and a woman sunbathing naked with her daughters.

A couple who Pogmore knew were also filmed having sex on their patio.

The judge spoke of the severely damaged public confidence in police that had come as a result of his actions.

Mitigating, John Ryder QC, said the defendant had admitted what he had done and felt a “strong sense of shame”.

Taking into account Pogmore’s 22-year police service, the Judge mentioned how he found it an “immensely difficult” sentencing procedure. However, he stressed Pogmore’s actions were a “gross abuse” of trust and he had to impose a prison term.

Richard Wright QC is a criminal advocate who has defended or prosecuted many of the highest-profile cases in the North of England. Kate Batty was a criminal defence solicitor and partner before being called to the Bar, and has been a busy trial advocate ever since.