A highly decorated police officer in the United Kingdom who had a child abuse video on her phone has avoided a jail term but has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service.

Novlett Robyn Williams, who was commended for her work after the Grenfell Tower disaster, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service for possession of an indecent image at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

Daily Mail UK reports that the court heard 54-year-old Williams received the video from her older sister, co-defendant Jennifer Hodge, via WhatsApp.

Williams was one of 17 people to be sent the video – which lasted less than a minute – by Hodge who had received it from her partner, bus driver Dido Massivi, 61, in February last year.

Massivi claimed he received the video on 2 February last year and sent it to his wife because he wanted her to report it.

He told jurors he tried to show it to her but she said she was busy doing coursework and asked to be sent it electronically.

The court accepted Williams did not view the material, although jurors were not convinced by Williams’ claim she was unaware of its presence on her phone.

Williams, of south London, showed no emotion as sentence was passed down by Judge Richard Marks QC.

The judge said:

“You have had a stellar career in the police force over 30 years. 

“That is amply demonstrated by the awards you received, the rank you achieved, and truly outstanding character references.

“Against this background, it is completely tragic you found yourself in the position you now do.”

He added:

“The consequences to you of this conviction will undoubtedly be immense, particularly as far as your employment and your career are concerned.”

Scotland Yard said Williams remains on restricted duties, though she could yet end up losing her career pending a misconduct investigation into the matters.

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Massivi claimed he received the video of someone abusing a child on 2 February last year and sent it to his wife because he wanted her to report it.

He told jurors he tried to show it to her but she said she was busy doing coursework and asked to be sent it electronically.

Williams denied but was convicted of one count of possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

She was cleared of one charge of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable and was sentenced to a community order of 200 hours unpaid work.

Hodge was handed a community order of 100 hours unpaid work, while Massivi was convicted of two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child and possession of extreme porn.

He was handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid work.