A paedophile police officer hid his face in shame as he walked free from court after a GCHQ probe found a sickening "boy scout" video on his computer.
PC Lee Ashcroft's laptop had to be sent off to experts at the Government's intelligence headquarters after he installed encryption software to hamper access, as well as applications to wipe the device clean of incriminating evidence. Even after investigators cracked the code and discovered the vile movie, the 39-year-old continued to plead his innocence and claimed that he had been the victim of an online fraud campaign.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Monday, that the then serving Greater Manchester Police officer's home on Brookside Drive in Hyde was raided on October 12, 2020. Neil Bisarya, prosecuting, described how a Dell laptop found underneath the bed in a back bedroom was seized, but encryption software installed on it meant officers were unable to access it and Ashcroft did not give the password.
