Tax inspector in La Manche, he exchanges child pornography photos with his lover

See my news
Follow La Presse de la Manche

A taxpayer from Saint-Lô (Manche) received, in March 2019, an email containing a pornographic photo with children. This email came from the professional mailbox of a tax inspector, stationed in Saint-Lô.

His report triggered a investigation and the file was entrusted to an investigating judge. A 63-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were tried by the Coutances court on November 13, 2024.

“A virtual bidding war”

They were colleagues and lovers in the North. The man requested a transfer to Saint-Lô in 2013, and continued this relationship by sending the woman pornographic photos of children, accompanied by particularly explicit texts about what he imagined while looking at them.

He obtained these images by carrying out research which leaves no doubt about his intentions. She responded with comments, and she sent two photos.

On the stand, he explains: “It was a virtual bidding war between us. » He assures that he will “never harm” a child.

“It was a way of maintaining our relationship”

She stayed in Tourcoing (North) and says she had a “very bad experience” when he left the North, without having spoken to her about it. “It was a way of maintaining our relationship. »

Both say they became aware of the harm done to children to produce these images when they were arrested, placed in custodythen questioned by the investigating judge.

The man recognizes the facts, but his main concern is the consequences for his personal situation. When his management was informed of his actions, he was the subject of a suspension before his retirement in April 2021. He considers the economic sanction unfair.

Suspended prison sentence

The court sentenced him to 12 months suspended prison sentence. It's going to be registered in the sex offender register.

The woman, considered under emotional influence by the psychologist, and who continues psychological care, receives a sentence of 6 months suspended prison sentence.

They will both have to pay a fine of 3,500 euros and are prohibited from engaging in any activity with minors. Finally, the court rejected the request for non-registration in the criminal record of the woman, still a tax inspector.

When the judgment was announced, the man, as well as his wife, strongly contested the confiscation of the computers and phones seized. The public prosecutor had to order them to shut up and leave the room.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.