Police IT expert's child porn shame

A POLICE computer expert with top level security clearance has been caught with a collection of child pornography images and films.

Joseph McCabe, 52, was working as a consultant for the Metropolitan Police when more than 13,000 images were found at his family home.

He had previously worked for Perth and Kinross and Highland councils as an education officer, with access to details of hundreds of local children. McCabe was removed from his position when the haul of pictures was discovered.

The married father-of-two had been downloading child porn throughout the period he had been working for the Metropolitan Police.

Among the 13,358 images and 33 films were some at level five on the Copine Scale - meaning they showed children being subjected to horrific abuse.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday McCabe admitted possessing the images at his former home in Manse Road, Bridge of Earn, between 10 March 2009 and 15 April 2010.

Fiscal depute Alan Kempton told the court: "The accused's house in Bridge of Earn was searched and the computer recovered contained indecent images of children. The accused was interviewed and admitted the offence."

McCabe was placed on the Sex Offenders Register yesterday, while sentence was deferred for reports.