Metropolitan Police Officer Jailed for Sexual Assault on Brighton Beach

A Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman on Brighton beach during his stag do.

Sergeant Laurence Knight, from Leyton in East London, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on June 29, 2023, of one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced on July 28, 2023, to one year behind bars and one year on licence.

The incident occurred on July 16, 2021, when Knight was on his stag do in Brighton. He sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in the sea. The woman reported the incident to Sussex Police on the same day.

Knight was identified as a suspect and arrested on July 28, 2021, on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. He was found guilty of sexual assault but not guilty of rape.

Following his conviction, Knight resigned from his position at the Metropolitan Police. He was also issued with a restraining order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

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."

Knight is set to face an accelerated misconduct hearing on August 3, 2023.