MET POLICE CHIEF CRITICISES BAIL GRANTED TO CHILD IMAGES OFFENDER

Zafer Dogan has been jailed for two years and four months at Wood Green Crown Court after admitting a series of image offences, including making indecent images of children. He used computer software to turn photographs he had secretly taken of women and children into nude and sexually explicit images. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Detective Chief Inspector Brian Kelleher criticised the justice system outside court after sentencing. Sir Mark said Dogan had been granted bail to a flat overlooking a children's playground despite objections from police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Prosecutor Sarah Gabay told the court that investigators found thousands of images of women and children photographed without their knowledge or consent. Police said Dogan, who worked as a mechanic, had taken more than 5,000 images, many from his bedroom window. He was arrested on 16 July on suspicion of offences involving indecent images of children and later pleaded guilty to several such offences. He was bailed to his flat in Enfield, north London, forcing one family targeted in his offending to move into temporary accommodation.

Sir Mark said pressure to reduce the number of prisoners held on remand had contributed to "dangerous and prolific offenders" being granted bail despite strong submissions from police and the Crown Prosecution Service. He said victims are left fearful, communities feel less safe, and confidence in the justice system is undermined. Mr Kelleher said officers had expressed frustration over how the case had been handled. Sir Mark said children should be put first, not the offender, and called for victims to be prioritised over criminals in future bail decisions.