Disgraced police officer who once helped the father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence pleads guilty to child sex offences in York

A police officer once known for comforting the family of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence is now facing a prison sentence after admitting to shocking child sex offences.

A Once-Trusted Officer Turns Defendant

Paul Beckwith, 53, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children and to several voyeurism charges.

The veteran officer, who had served with North Yorkshire Police for more than three decades, was suspended from duty after his arrest last November.

For years, Beckwith was considered a respected figure within the force — even serving as the family liaison officer for Peter Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia vanished without trace in 2009.

The Tragic Case That Once Defined His Career

Claudia Lawrence, a 35-year-old chef at the University of York, disappeared from her home in Heworth on March 18, 2009.

Her final known contact was a phone call to her mother that same evening.

Despite extensive investigations, Claudia’s body has never been found, and police have long treated her disappearance as a murder inquiry.

Beckwith was one of the officers who stood beside Claudia’s father, Peter Lawrence, during public appeals for information — a moment that once seemed to define his compassion and professionalism.

Court Hears Details of Disturbing Crimes

But that image has now been shattered. Prosecutor Sarah Tyrer told the court that investigators discovered a collection of indecent images on Beckwith’s devices, including 11 in the most serious “Category A,” two in “Category B,” and nine in “Category C.”

The voyeurism charges, Tyrer said, represented a “substantial breach of trust,” especially given Beckwith’s role in the community and his long service record.

Police Confirm His Suspension

Beckwith, who was also North Yorkshire Police’s first drone operator and previously worked as a neighbourhood officer in Holgate, York, appeared solemn in court.

Wearing a dark suit, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before being released on conditional bail.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed that Beckwith was “immediately suspended” following his arrest last year.

Awaiting Sentencing

The disgraced former officer will now face sentencing at York Crown Court on November 19, where he could face a custodial sentence for the offences.

While his crimes were not committed during active duty, the revelation has left a deep scar on the force — especially given his earlier involvement in one of North Yorkshire’s most haunting missing person cases.