Former North Yorkshire Police Officer sentenced for possessing indecent images and voyeurism
Paul Beckwith has been handed a suspended prison sentence following guilty pleas to multiple child exploitation offences
Paul Beckwith, 53, from York, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children and five counts of voyeurism. The sentencing took place at York Crown Court on Wednesday, 19 November 2025.
Beckwith previously appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on 29 October, where he admitted all eight charges. In addition to the suspended sentence, he has been ordered to complete a Community Order, which includes rehabilitation activities and mental health treatment.
At the time of his arrest, Beckwith was a serving Police Constable with North Yorkshire Police.
He was first arrested on 17 November 2024 on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children and was immediately suspended from duty.
A further arrest followed on 13 March 2025 in connection with voyeurism and additional indecent images offences.
Following an Accelerated Misciplinary Hearing (AMH) on 7 April 2025, Beckwith was dismissed without notice by Chief Constable Tim Forber for gross misconduct. Reporting restrictions were in place during the criminal investigation and court proceedings to ensure a fair trial and to protect the victims’ legal right to anonymity.
Beckwith’s charges were unrelated to his employment with North Yorkshire Police.
In the published AMH report, Chief Constable Forber emphasized the seriousness of sexual misconduct within the police force, describing it as a “matter of significant national concern.”
He said:
“Whilst the possession of indecent images of children does not fall neatly into the categories set out in the guidelines as either violence against women and girls, sexual impropriety, or misconduct involving a vulnerable person, I do consider that the downloading and possession of indecent images of children encourages the creation of such images.
“Behind every one of these images is a victim of abuse. I therefore consider that the officer’s culpability is increased because his misconduct does affect vulnerable people and lead to violence against women and girls.”
Chief Constable Forber added that dismissal was necessary to uphold public trust, prevent future misconduct, and maintain the high standards expected of North Yorkshire Police officers.