A SERVING police officer has appeared in court after allegedly arranging to meet with a 15-year-old boy. 

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard DC John Davies-Brewin, of East Hill, Colchester, had arranged to meet the boy following a conversation on social media.

However, when the 50-year-old arrived for the meeting in Colchester, the boy turned out to be a vigilante adult, the court heard.

Davies-Brewin entered no pleas to one charge of an adult attempting to meet a boy under 16 years of age following grooming.

Bob Rawlingson, prosecuting, said: “The incident followed a conversation on social media.

“Davies-Brewin travelled to meet, what he believed was, a 15-year-old boy.

“The person he was having a conversation with was a vigilante adult who set up the meeting.

“Police were called and Davies-Brewin was arrested.”

The court heard how the incident took place on June 14 with the intention of doing something to the boy which involved sexual activity with a child.

Mr Rawlingson said a number of sexual articles were found as well.

Don Wicks, chairman of the bench, sent the case to be heard before a crown court after hearing it was not suitable to be heard at the magistrates’ court.

He said: “We cannot continue with this today so we are sending this to Chelmsford Crown Court.

“In the meantime, we are going to grant you unconditional bail.

“If you do not come back to court you may commit an offence and be sent to prison.”

Davies-Brewin will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 9 for a plea and case management hearing.

Essex Police confirmed Davies-Brewin has been suspended from duty since his arrest.