A former police property officer has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting possessing indecent images of children.

Gary Rice, who resigned from his role at Bethnal Green police station a week after being arrested, pleaded guilty to three counts at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday.

The 51-year-old was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, and suspended for two years.

He also has an indefinite sexual harm prevention order with notification requirements for 10 years.

Rice was arrested on Novemer 13 last year after a warrant was carried out at an address in Barking.