Jail for detective who paid boy, 17, for sex

A detective who was sacked after paying a "vulnerable" 17-year-old boy for sex has been jailed for two years.

Detective Constable John Rigby, 37, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court after admitting at Cheshire Magistrates' Court in November to paying for the sexual services of a child and unauthorised access of a police computer system.

Rigby, of Roby Street in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens, also searched police intelligence systems for information on two males he was in contact with.

Det Insp Stephen Croasdale, of Merseyside Police's child criminal and sexual exploitation team, said: "It's only right Rigby spends time in prison, when I hope he reflects on his crimes [and their] impact."

While the teenager was above the age of consent, it is illegal to pay for the sexual services of anyone under the age of 18.

Rigby was sacked earlier this month after a police misconduct hearing.

A spokesman for the NSPCC children's charity said: "As a police detective Rigby was in a role designed to protect and support the public, yet paid to have sex with a child under 18, which is a criminal offence.

"We hope news of this case serves as a deterrent to others acting in trusted positions."

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