An officer who was found guilty of sexual assault has been jailed.
Sergeant Laurence Knight, attached to Met Detention, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 29 June of one count of sexual assault.
Following his conviction, he resigned from the Met.
On Friday, 28 July the now former officer was sentenced to one year custodial and one year on licence for the offence. He was also issued with a restraining order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
On 16 July 2021, Knight was on his stag weekend in Brighton when he sexually assaulted a woman in the sea.
The matter was reported to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched.
Knight was identified as a suspect and arrested on 28 July 2021. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed, and he was suspended from duty.
Following his conviction he resigned. Now that criminal proceedings have concluded he will face an accelerated misconduct hearing on Thursday, 3 August.
Chief Superintendent Peter Gardner, responsible for Met Detention, said: “Knight’s actions were thoroughly reprehensible and I recognise his behaviour would have further damaged the public’s trust in the police. I also recognise the significant impact this would have had on the victim, and I praise her for coming forward.
“The Commissioner has been clear that there is no place in the Met for officers who corrupt our integrity. Knight was suspended as soon as his offending came to light and disciplinary proceedings will now follow.”
Anyone with any information about a police officer or member of staff who works for the Met and is corrupt, abusing their position and power, can call the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Hotline, run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 085 0000 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-org.uk.
