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A police community support officer who was caught filming children in a swimming pool changing room has been jailed.

Matthew Shaw, 38, was behind bars for 14 years after admitting to a series of sexual offenses against minors.

He was reported to police after he was caught filming a girl changing in a pool at Center Parcs in Nottinghamshire.

He was challenged by the girl’s mother after he slipped a camera under a cubicle wall in a locker room in April last year.

Shaw, who worked for Derbyshire Police, later admitted to officers that he may have done it as many as 100 times.

Shaw also spoke to girls, ages 11 to 15, while posing as a teenager and a boy, requesting and sending sexual images and videos on Snapchat.

Officers seized various electronic devices including a mobile phone found hidden on the roof of his garage when they searched his home in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottingham.

Further examination revealed additional locker room videos of Shaw engaging in online sexual acts with several children.

Shaw initially denied any wrongdoing, but later pleaded guilty to 21 counts of engaging a child in sexual activity and three counts of voyeurism.

He was jailed for a total of 14 years at Nottingham Crown Court today.

Shaw was also added to the sex offender registry and the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Shaw is a devious and manipulative sex offender who is now beginning a well-deserved prison sentence.”

“While he did not come into physical contact with his victims, he did very real harm to vulnerable youth by exposing them to things they were simply too young to understand, much less consent to.”

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of children and we will always vigorously pursue those who commit crimes of this nature.”

“I am pleased that Shaw has now been jailed and I hope this case serves as a warning to others about the consequences of this type of behavior: sooner or later we will catch up with you and you are likely to end up in jail.”

Simon Blatchly, Deputy Chief Constable of Derbyshire Police, said: “Matthew Shaw’s crimes are absolutely shocking.

‘As soon as the allegations came to light, Shaw was suspended from his position as police community support officer, with the force assisting his colleagues in Nottinghamshire police with their investigation.

He subsequently resigned from his post last year.

“Through that investigation, it was concluded that none of Shaw’s crimes took place while he was on duty, and no victims linked to his role were identified.

‘While all officers and staff hold a position of trust, PCSOs have a unique role that brings them into contact with many different groups within our communities, including youth.

“His role and position of trust make his crimes all the more shocking to the public and I share his disgust at his actions.”

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