Fred Hart, aged 33, a staff member at Headquarters North, Kidlington, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, following a hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (August 8).

It follows his conviction at an earlier hearing in which he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images/pseudo images of children.

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He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years, and placed on the registered sex offenders list for seven years. Additionally, he was made the subject of a 35-day rehabilitation order.

Hart was suspended immediately from his duties, which were non-public facing, when the investigation was launched in October 2024.

According to the court record Hart, of Cirencester, made two category A, eight category B and 32 category C indecent images of children.

Deputy Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police, 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.”

The 56-year-old TV presenter was recently fined £999 by a court after he was caught speeding twice in the space of three weeks while driving his luxury cars.

Documents from his court case show the former Top Gear host was caught out by a police officer with a handheld speed camera at just before 1pm on December 2 last year.

His Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was clocked at 68mph in a 50mph limit on the A40 in Pencraig, Herefordshire.

At around 11.45am on December 22, Hammond’s Bentley Continental GT was speeding at 82mph in a 70mph limit on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge in Herefordshire.

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Mr Hammond was prosecuted and convicted for the speeding offences on July 22 in the Single Justice Procedure – a fast-track court process which allows magistrates to sit behind closed doors to deal with low level criminal cases.

Now, though, the floor is his as his online motoring community Drivetribe is hosting a Q&A with the ex Grand Tour host.

Viewers are being asked to provide questions to Mr Hammond relating to six Grand Tour specials.

It includes Lochdown (Series 4, Episode 3), Carnage a Trois (Series 4, Episode 4), A Scandi Flick (Series 5, Episode 1), Eurocrash (Series 5, Episode 2), Sand Job (Series 5, Episode 3), One for the Road (Series 6, Episode 1).

Mr Hammond famously presented the motoring show alongside Oxfordshire farmer Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

The trio started together on BBC Top Gear in 2003, which grew to be one of the most watched TV shows in the world.

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Darren O’Callaghan brings 31 years of policing experience to the position.

He joined Thames Valley Police from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in April.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I am delighted to be taking up my new role leading crime and criminal justice for Thames Valley Police, and to have the opportunity to build on the great work here in the force.

“In the past few weeks, the force has been highlighted by HMICFRS as making significant improvements, but also highlights areas to work on.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of doing all I can to help Thames Valley Police become an excellent force trusted by all of our communities.”

He began his career as a police constable in Petersfield in 1994 and became a detective three years later.

His experience covers professional standards, child protection, major crime, and intelligence.

He was also district commander for Fareham and Gosport.

He became director of intelligence in 2015 and head of intelligence, tasking, and development as a chief superintendent in 2017.

More recently, he worked with the Joint Operations Unit in 2022 before becoming T/Assistant Chief Constable.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “It will be a privilege to be working with our brilliant officers and staff, building on the drive to improve our investigative capability, support victims of crime, preventing harm and ensuring we achieve the best possible outcomes for them, and protect the public across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.”