A SERVING Essex Police officer has appeared in court accused of sending sexually explicit messages and pictures to people he believed were children.

PC Murray Weir, 27, is alleged to have committed the offence over a six-month period between January 1 and June 30, 2018 – during which time the police officer is accused of communicating at least 23 times with people who said they were under the age of 16.

The messages, which are said to amount to around 350 pages, allegedly included sexually explicit photographs.

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Weir appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address. 

The officer, who denied a single charge of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, is currently living near Lingfield, Surrey.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram granted Weir bail ahead of his next appearance at Croydon Nightingale court on March 25.

Weir has also been suspended from duty.