By Robin Denyer, Steven Whitear, Grace King, Joe Ball, Vivienne Payne
A former director from Norfolk, who worked in the department which supports the prime minister and admitted having hundreds of indecent images of children on his phones, has avoided jail.
Marco Salzedo, who is 59 and from Cherry Tree House in Aylsham, pleaded guilty to possessing 312 images and videos of children, on two devices, during a four-year period.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard that the former senior civil servant had 139 category A images, which are the most extreme.
Salzedo, who worked in Cabinet Office, confirmed his name and having the two devices where he stored the indecent images.
Sentencing him, District Judge Matthew Bone said, “You were a man of good character.
“You did something in private utterly wrong.
“Real sexual harm is caused by your behaviour.”
Police arrested the former senior civil servant on the 27 April 2025 on suspicion of making and possessing indecent images of children.
They charged him on 3 November 2025 with making and possessing indecent images and videos of a child.
He pleaded guilty to the possession charge at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 2 December 2025.
The magistrate sentenced Salzedo to a 12-month community order and 120 hours of unpaid work.
He must also take part in a 35-day programme to challenge his behaviour.
The Maps for Change scheme provides a toolkit for men convicted of sex offences to reduce the likelihood of their reoffending.
Salzedo held several high-level roles during his time in the civil service.
In a statement to UEA Journalism, the Cabinet Office confirmed it removed him from his post in September 2025.
A spokesperson said, “The individual was suspended after arrest.
“His employment with the Civil Service has since been terminated.”
Salzedo will remain on the sex offender register for five years.
The court heard that a sexual harm prevention order was not submitted in time for today’s hearing.
The disgraced ex-Cabinet Office director will return to Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 3 March 2026 to find out whether magistrates will enforce that order.
