A former police officer who uploaded indecent images and videos of children to the internet has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Lee Bartram, 44, uploaded the illegal pictures to the Tumblr photo sharing website. Investigators traced the images back to him, and he was arrested on 13 August last year at his home on Bustleholme Lane, West Bromwich.

Bartram, who was an inspector based at Birmingham city centre at the time, was released on bail while the investigation continued, but officers re-arrested him on 15 August when an examination of his iPhone and iPad uncovered further images. One showed a boy thought to be aged eight or nine walking through Birmingham city centre, filmed by Bartram while he was on duty.

Bartram was dismissed from the force on 6 September last year following a special case hearing chaired by West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson. 

In all, police recovered 454 images from Bartram’s devices. He admitted 10 charges relating to images. Two related to distribution of images, while the rest were possession of the images. He pleaded guilty to a further charge of misconduct in public office relating to the video he made of the boy while on duty.

Yesterday, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years. He was given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said:

“Inspector Bartram abused the trust afforded to his position as a police officer. Colleagues are disgusted and sickened by his actions. We rightly expect our officers to be exemplary role models. 

“There is no place in policing for those who seek to abuse their position and this case illustrates that we will identify and bring to justice anyone who does."