Jailed: Shrewsbury PCSO Derren Tomlinson gets over 11 years for raping girl and bestiality

Derren Jon Tomlinson, 44, admitted a charge of raping a girl under the age of 13 as well as one count of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 11 years and four months at Shrewsbury Crown Court, which was told he had also admitted one charge of bestiality, in relation to him having sex with a dog.

Tomlinson had been a respected PCSO for nine years, the court heard.

Sentencing Tomlinson, Judge Robin Onions told him he had caused "immeasurable harm" and the offences had required a significant degree of planning.

Judge Onions said Tomlinson had been unable to control himself and posed a significant risk of reoffending.

He said Tomlinson, of Riverdale Road, Shrewsbury, had a "trusted and important job in the community" but these offences had "absolutely no link" to his job.

Judge Onions also told Tomlinson the offences indicated he was "utterly unsuited to being a PCSO".

The offences took place in October last year.

The court heard how Tomlinson had been arrested for an unrelated matter on November 13 last year, and as part of that investigation his mobile phone was seized and examined where forensic examination revealed a number of images showing him engaging in sexual acts with a child, as well as moving images showing him engaging in sexual activity with a dog.

He was re-arrested on November 23, when he gave a no comment interview to police.

Tomlinson was suspended from his role as PCSO with West Mercia Police on November 25.

Judge Onions said Tomlinson showed a degree of remorse but added: "He still struggles, feeling more sorry for himself than what he's done."

Mr Dan White, defending, said: "I've not been instructed nor do I minimise the gravity of the offences.

"He knows what he has done is deplorable and he is remorseful.

"He pleaded guilty immediately before the court and he was of previous good character."

Mr White also said Tomlinson asked if on his behalf he could apologise in open court.

He said Tomlinson was "sickened and very upset by what he's done".

Mr White also said the offence was "short lived", it had occurred on the same afternoon and did not cause any physical damage.

The court heard that Tomlinson had been remanded in custody and had found his time in custody "extremely distressing".

Mr White said that due to his role, Tomlinson had found the custody environment "that bit more terrifying" and had been in isolation to begin with.

Ahead of sentencing, Judge Onions also said it was "difficult to understand" what satisfaction Tomlinson had got from the crimes.

Tomlinson received concurrent jail terms for the offences.

He was given 11 years and four months for raping a child under the age of 13, four years concurrent for sexually assault a child under the age of 13 and 12 months concurrent for the bestiality offence.

Tomlinson's licence period was also extended by four years and eight months.

He was also banned from working with children for life, placed on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life and put on a children and adults barred list.

This afternoon West Mercia Police Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cullen said: "As a PCSO, Tomlinson held a position of responsibility within the Shrewsbury community.

"While none of these offences were connected to his role, he has violated the trust that both the public and his colleagues placed in him in the most heinous of ways.

"A proactive and thorough investigation was conducted by our officers as soon information regarding these offences was discovered and today Tomlinson has quite rightly been made to face the consequences of his despicable actions.

"I hope that the sentence he is facing reassures the community that people who commit such crimes, regardless of the position they hold, will always be brought to justice.

"Our thoughts are with the people who have been directly affected by his abhorrent behaviour."