A radio station has removed a presenter after he was convicted of child sex offences.
At Swindon Magistrates Court, Fred Hart pleaded guilty to possessing an abhorrent stash of 42 indecent images of children following an investigation launched back in 2024.
At the time, the 33-year-old defendant worked for Thames Valley Police as a staff member in a non-public facing role. More recently he hosted a show on Cirencester Radio.
Hart, of Bowling Green Avenue, Cirencester, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months on 4 August this year.
He was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years, and must complete a 35-day rehabilitation order involving a course relevant to his offending.
Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: “I trust that the decisive action taken by Thames Valley Police to investigate and prosecute Hart’s actions underline to all our commitment to maintaining the high standards we all expect in policing.
“The offences he has been convicted of and sentenced for are extremely serious and have absolutely no place within our police force.
“I am grateful to the officers who diligently and professionally investigated his crimes, which led to him pleading guilty.”
Cirencester Radio also confirmed that when they were made aware of Hart’s court proceedings, he was removed as a volunteer.
A spokesperson told Wiltshire 999s that “the safety and wellbeing of our community is our absolute priority”, adding that he was “immediately suspended”.
They continued: “The individual is no longer permitted to volunteer, attend events, or produce content for Cirencester Radio.”
