By Peter Makossah
An erstwhile Derbyshire ‘manipulative and devious’ Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been jailed for 14 years after admitting to multiple child sex offences.
Matthew Shaw, aged 38, from Mansfield, was reported to police after he was caught filming a girl in a swimming pool changing room.
Shaw, who has since resigned from Derbyshire Constabulary, was challenged by the girl’s mother after he passed a camera under a cubicle wall in a changing room in April 2022.
He was subsequently reported to Nottinghamshire Police and arrested at his home two days later.
Officers seized several electronic devices, including a mobile phone found hidden in the roof of his garage.
Further examination of these devices revealed additional videos recorded in changing rooms.
Further damning evidence was also recovered of Shaw engaging in online sex acts with several children.
Shaw initially denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to 21 charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three of voyeurism.
The court heard Shaw denied to police he had a sexual interest in children or specifically filmed them, but admitted filming about 100 videos in changing rooms.
In total he pleaded guilty to nine counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, 12 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of voyeurism.
Sentencing, Judge William Harbage KC said Shaw had “brought shame and disgrace onto yourself, your family and the police force”, adding the offending “went on for a prolonged period” and describing the defendant as being of high risk to children.
“These are appalling offences which will fill right-thinking members of the public with horror, revulsion and disgust.”
Judge Harbage said the “despicable” voyeurism was committed against people “going about their daily lives”, and noted it resulted in Shaw being reported to his PCSO supervisor.
“Sadly it does not appear that that was acted upon,” he said.
Devious and manipulative sex offender
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court Monday, March 13, 2023 the former Police Community Support Officer, Shaw, formerly of Mansfield Woodhouse, was jailed for a total of 14 years.
He will also serve an additional six years on licence.
He was also added to the sex offenders’ register and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Shaw is a devious and manipulative sex offender who is now starting a well-deserved prison sentence.
“Whilst he did not come into physical contact with his victims, he still caused very real harm to vulnerable young people by exposing them to things they were simply too young to understand let alone consent to.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of children and we will always robustly pursue those who commit offences of this nature.
“I am pleased Shaw has now been jailed and hope this case serves as a warning to others about the consequences of this kind of behaviour – sooner or later we will catch up with you and you are likely to end up in jail.”
Shocking to the public
Simon Blatchly, Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Police, said: “Matthew Shaw’s offences are utterly shocking.
“As soon as the allegations came to light Shaw was suspended from his role as a Police Community Support Officer – and the force assisted colleagues in Nottinghamshire Police with their investigation. He subsequently resigned from his position last year.
“Through that investigation it was concluded that none of Shaw’s offending was found to have taken place while he was on duty – and no victims were identified as being linked to his role.
“While all officers and staff hold a position of trust, PCSOs have a unique role that puts them in contact with a great many different groups within our communities, including young people.
“His role and position of trust make his crimes all the more shocking to the public and I share their revulsion at his actions.”
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of children and we will always robustly pursue those who commit offences of this nature…”
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Scott,
Nottinghamshire Police
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