Police officer in court over child sex offences

The police officer appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court earlier

A serving police officer has appeared in court charged with child sex offences.

PC Nathan Henderson, 30, of Norton, Stockton, has been charged with 11 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one count of perverting the course of justice.

He entered no pleas when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Cleveland Police said PC Henderson had been suspended and it had referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as was mandatory.

The IOPC confirmed it had received a referral from the force, but said it had sent it back for a local investigation by Cleveland Police's professional standards department, because the force already had an criminal investigation ongoing.

The bearded officer, who wore a grey sweatshirt and black trousers, used a walking stick to enter the dock.

He was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 28 August at Durham Crown Court.

The force said the officer had been "arrested and suspended from duty on Monday".

Additional reporting by PA Media.