Porn-addicted Met officer who uploaded child abuse videos of eight-year-old girls from his police station has escaped from prison

A former Metropolitan Police officer who admitted uploading child abuse images of teenage girls, some of whom had come from work, has escaped prison.

Stuart Mason, 50, pleaded guilty to six charges of uploading Category A, the most serious form of child pornography, which included videos of girls as young as eight.

The court heard the cop, who has been addicted to porn since 2019 and joined Sexaholics Anonymous, uploaded some images from his workplace.

Mason, who worked in the Violent Crime Squad, left the Met following his arrest in January 2023.

He was released after receiving a two-year suspended sentence.

Stuart Mason, 50, (pictured) pleaded guilty to six charges of uploading Category A, the most serious form of child pornography, which includes videos of girls under eight

Prosecutor Christina Rowberry said Sussex Police pursued Mason after being alerted by the National Crime Agency.

‘NCA received information that inappropriate images and videos were uploaded from a Kik messaging account in December 2022.

‘The defendant’s phone number and email address.’

The images and videos were uploaded over a 24-hour period in November 2022 using his personal mobile phone from his family home and police station.

Ms Rowberry said the distress experienced by a child in one of the installations and his situation as a serving police officer showed how his behavior had betrayed the public’s trust in the police.

‘One of the images contains the description: ‘She moans in pain while being penetrated by an adult.’

‘Met was updated and suspended on the date of his arrest. Disciplinary proceedings followed,’ said Ms Rowberry.

Campaspe Lloyd Jacob, defending Mason, told the Crown Court in Hove that her husband and father were absolutely devastated by what they had done.

‘He understands all the reasons very well,’ he said: ‘He’s had a long career in business but now everything in his life is ruined.’

Mrs Lloyd Jacob said Mason was promoted beyond his abilities and was left in a difficult situation when he lost an important case.

‘He became addicted to porn in 2019, when his life was in a bad situation.

‘He was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the Croydon tram crash.

Mr Lloyd Jacob added: ‘He considered leaving the police but stayed in the job he was struggling with.

‘He couldn’t have been more embarrassed,’ he said: ‘He realized he had crossed the line.’

Following his arrest, Mason immediately resigned from the police and took a job as a HGV driver.

Recorder Tom Nicholson-Pratt told Mason his long career as a police officer was now in tatters.

‘You will be sentenced to prison for six offenses of distributing indecent images of children.

‘At least one involves penetrative activity with a child. The children involved were aged 8-10 and 14-16 and were obviously teenagers. You confessed your guilt early and deserve full credit.

‘Considering your many years of practice, it is hardly surprising that you had no previous faith.

‘Your long career as a police officer is now in tatters.

He currently works as a HGV driver and escaped from prison after being given a two-year suspended sentence

‘What I know about you and the limited nature of the crime is why I can almost postpone your sentence.’

Mason, who now lives in Bromley, was sentenced to two years in prison and suspended for two years.

Mason was ordered to pay £150 and a victim surcharge, as well as carry out 25 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is a registered sex offender.

MailOnline has approached the Met Police for comment.