The Met said his ‘behaviour fell well below what we expect from our officers’
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of sexual assault after touching a woman’s bottom at a pub near Leicester Square.
Inspector Michael Richards, 40, was found guilty yesterday (August 10) of sexual assault in 2024. Police had been called to the pub with reports he had touched a man and a woman on the bottom.
After his arrest, he was released on bail pending but suspended from his policing duties.
While he was found not guilty of the first charge, he was found guilty of the second after a week-long trial. He will be sentenced later in September at Southwark Crown Court.
He will now face an accelerated misconduct hearing.
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, from the Met’s People Directorate said: “Inspector Michael Richards’ behaviour fell well below what we expect from our officers.
“I would like to thank Inspector Richards’ colleagues who called out his behaviour that night and held him accountable.
“We continue to encourage officers and staff to call out poor behaviour both on and off-duty.”
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