More police testify

More RCMP officers are on the stand today, as a child porn trial continues for a former Mountie.

Ryan Hampton faces nine counts, including two of possessing and accessing child pornography, six counts of breach of undertaking for contacting his ex-wife when ordered not to, and one count of attempting to obstruct justice by allegedly telling her not to contact police.

Hampton alleges his former wife, Valerie Little (a fellow officer), framed him during their marriage breakup.

Wednesday in court, defence counsel Jason Tarnow cross-examined Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr, who was previously a constable in Vernon. He was second in command at the detachment at the time of the incident.

Buxton-Carr was the original officer to take possession of a flash drive Little turned in May 5, 2013 that contained the pornographic images.

Buxton-Carr recalled Little arriving at the detachment with her two kids and the flash drive. He said she was clearly upset.

“I could see something concerned her. It was obvious emotion, but when she asked to speak to me privately I could tell it was a serious matter,” said Buxton-Carr.

He said she asked him if she was obligated, as an officer herself, to report crimes committed by a fellow officer.

“I told her yes,” said Buxton-Carr. “I recall thinking 'Yes, you know the answer to that question, Valerie'.”

That is when she retrieved the flash drive and placed it on his desk.

He testified that she pointed at her two-year-old daughter and said there were disturbing videos involving kids her daughter's age.

“I had no reason to disbelieve Ms. Little; her description was pretty clear,” said Buxton-Carr.

He recounts that he struggled with the fact Little took a month to turn it in to police. He said he felt she had both a professional and personal obligation to do so sooner.

He stated that if, in his opinion, she was truly concerned about the safety of their two younger children, then she should have worried about his two older children from a previous marriage as well. She should have turned him in sooner.

“I was not entirely satisfied with her actions,” said Buxton-Carr. “Imperfect situations lead to imperfect actions.”

After finishing his discussion with Little that day at the detachment, Hampton arrived shortly after visibly upset.

“He asked what will happen now and I told him an investigation would take place,” said Buxton-Carr. 

He claims Hampton told him that Little had been holding the USB over his head for a while and that he had thought she’d destroyed it.

“He told me he knew I was obligated to take it forward.”

Hampton was arrested the next day.

At one point, defence counsel asked if Buxton-Carr thought Hampton did it. He did not answer.

The defence is looking to prove Hampton's former wife knew a divorce was imminent and downloaded the images herself to tarnish his name.