A Metropolitan Police detective constable, Francois Olwage, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years following his conviction on child sex offences at Winchester Crown Court. The 52-year-old, who served in the Met’s specialist operations unit focusing on counter-terrorism, engaged in explicit sexual conversations with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl met on the Lycos online chat forum in October 2021.
Winchester Crown Court heard that Olwage, originally from South Africa and residing in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, began chatting with the username 'Smile Bear', later switching to WhatsApp under the name 'Caitlin'. Unbeknownst to him, this was an undercover police officer posing as the minor, who claimed to live in Basingstoke, Hampshire. After two weeks of grooming communications, Olwage arranged to meet the 'girl' on 28 October 2021, while listed as on duty working from home.
Olwage travelled by train to Basingstoke that day, abandoning his police duties to pursue what he intended as sexual gratification. He was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant by undercover officers just as he was about to purchase a McFlurry ice cream to bring to the meeting. A search of his bag revealed two condoms, a bottle of lubricant, a packet of Tadalafil erectile dysfunction tablets, and a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, which prosecutors suggested was a gift for the 'girl'.
Olwage was convicted by a jury of three offences: engaging in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming. He pleaded guilty at the trial's start to a fourth charge of improperly exercising his police powers and privileges for sexual gratification by travelling on duty. In his defence, Olwage claimed he never believed the individual was a 13-year-old and thought it was an adult role-playing a fantasy, denying any sexual interest in children.
Sentencing him, Judge Jane Miller QC stated: “You were a highly regarded police officer with considerable experience. You were expected to uphold the law but by trying to take advantage of a vulnerable child, albeit fictional, you showed a disregard for the public trust and confidence that is held in your office.” The defence, represented by Adrienne Knight, argued Olwage was seeking a relationship amid personal vulnerabilities following a divorce, and described the police operation as 'very close' to entrapment, though not crossing that line. Knight highlighted his nine years with the Met and seven with Hertfordshire Constabulary, his role as a father of three, and a character reference from his sister portraying the actions as out of character.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Marc Thompson from the CPS remarked: “Francois Olwage had every intention of grooming and meeting a 13-year-old girl. ... No actual children were in danger, but it has given us a glimpse into what this man is capable of doing when he thinks he can rely on the anonymity of the internet. This is made all the more serious because he has broken the trust of the public he has sworn to protect.” Olwage, suspended upon arrest, remains a serving officer pending a misconduct hearing on 31 May. The case underscores the dangers of online predation, particularly by those in positions of authority.