Dominick Akinlade

A former police constable from Merton has pleaded guilty to serious child sex offences involving indecent images. Dominick Akinlade, aged 37, appeared in custody at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, April 7, where he admitted to five counts of making indecent images of children.

The case came to light following a covert operation by the Metropolitan Police Service's Paedophile Unit. On October 1 of the previous year, officers arrested Akinlade at his home, where they discovered a number of indecent images of children on his personal computer. These images had been downloaded from the internet, an action that constitutes 'making' under the Protection of Children Act 1978. Importantly, Akinlade did not come into contact with any of the children depicted in the images, and none of the material was found on Metropolitan Police Service computers.

Akinlade, who was based in Merton as a constable with the MPS, resigned from his position shortly after his arrest in October. He was taken to a central London police station for further enquiries and later bailed to return on February 1, at which point he was formally charged. His guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, highlighting the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, May 19, at Southwark Crown Court. The court proceedings underscore the severe legal consequences for such offences, even among those in positions of public trust like former police officers. This case was reported by local news outlet Your Local Guardian, drawing attention to the breach of trust by an individual sworn to protect the community.