Locations
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1
Description
A MET Police detective has been found guilty of trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex when he was "on duty working from home".
DC Francois Olwage, 52, travelled 75 miles to meet "Caitlin", who was actually an undercover officer after grooming the person online.
Police found two condoms, a bottle of lubricant and a packet of Tadalafil erectile dysfunction tablets in his bag when they arrested him in a McDonalds in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
A box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates was also found, thought to be a present for the "girl", and he was about to buy a McFlurry for her.
Paedo Olwage had been on-duty and working from home when he made the journey from his home in Stevenage, Herts, in October.
The Met Police counter-terrorism officer went to meet the "girl" after revealing sex acts he wanted to perform on her during two weeks of explicit messaging.
The undercover officer called the girl Smile Bear on online chat forum Lycos, before they moved onto Whatsapp and called her Caitlin.
Olwage, a serving police officer of 19 years, had booked a hotel room for the meeting.
Winchester crown court found him guilty of three child sex offences.
Met Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith said last year his arrest followed a comprehensive investigation by Hertfordshire Police.
Olwage told the jury he never believed Smile Bear was a 13-year-old girl and that he thought it was an adult playing out a fantasy.
The sex offender also denied any sexual interest in children.
He was today found guilty of attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming.
He admitted improperly exercising his police powers and privileges to receive the "benefit of sexual gratification" when the trial started.
Judge Jane Miller QC ordered the jury to find him not guilty of arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
He will be remanded in custody and sentenced this month.
The Sun approached the Met Police for comment.