Disgraced police officer Faran Hanson sacked after being convicted of sending "offensive and indecent images" on Snapchat

Suspended special constable Faran Hanson (pictured) escaped a jail term when he appeared before Leeds Magistrates’ Court in June but was dismissed by the force this week following his twisted crimes.

A police disciplinary panel found Hanson guilty on Monday of gross misconduct, and ruled he should be dismissed without notice.

The 26-year-old police volunteer, who completed his training in Wath, was handed a two-year community order after being convicted of three counts of using a public electronic communications network to send a grossly offensive or indecent message.

Hanson’s offending came to light in May 2021 when a woman came forward to police to report that she had received an explicit image via Snapchat.

An investigation was launched, and the sender of the image was identified as Hanson.

He was arrested and immediately suspended from duty.

Enquiries identified more women, who had received offensive and indecent images from Hanson over social networking sites.

Det Supt Delphine Waring, head of the force’s professional standards department, said following Hanson’s sentencing: “Hanson’s behaviour is appalling and falls far, far below that which we expect of any officer or staff member.

“He refused to accept responsibility for his crimes, meaning this matter had to go to trial and I am pleased that he was convicted based on the wealth of evidence put before the court.

“This was thanks in no small part to the testimony of the women Hanson targeted with his communications.

“I commend the victims for supporting our investigation and bravely giving evidence in court about what happened.”

Hanson, of Scawsby in Doncaster, was sentenced to a two-year community order, 60 days of rehabilitation activity requirements, 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay costs and served restraining orders for each of his victims.