A former Thames Valley Police sergeant was today sentenced for a child sex offence.

Aged 46, Cerrig Shardlow, who was stationed at Slough, received a four-month suspended sentence and a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order at Lewes Crown Court on October 4.

Shardlow had pled guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child on May 2, 2024.

The case unfolded when Shardlow tried to engage in a sexual conversation with someone he believed was underage on May 31, 2022.

The conversation in question involved inquiries about this individual's sexual history and physical attributes.

Shardlow did not reasonably believe the individual to be over 16.

Following his arrest on June 9, 2022, officials immediately suspended Shardlow from duty.

Following an investigation, Shardlow was charged on March 3, 2023.

This conviction led him to resign before an accelerated misconduct hearing slated for August 2023. 

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: "It is completely unacceptable for a police officer to commit such serious crimes and breach the Standards of Professional Behaviour in this manner."

He stressed that the force is fully committed to eradicating criminal conduct within its ranks.

He added: "There is no place in Thames Valley Police for officers who commit criminal offences such as this."

Deputy Chief Constable Snuggs also confirmed Shardlow’s name is now on the College of Policing’s barred list, rendering him ineligible to work in the policing profession ever again.

He expressed hope that this outcome would reassure the public of the police force’s intolerance toward any criminal activity within its ranks.