Met officer has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman while on a night out with colleagues in central London.

Inspector Michael Richards, 40 attached to the Met’s Learning and Development Command, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 10 August where he was found guilty of sexual assault.

He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 25 September.

On Wednesday, 17 September 2024, police were called to a pub near Leicester Square following reports that Insp Richards had touched the bottoms of a man and a woman.

Following his arrest and interview, he was released on bail as enquiries continued and suspended from duty.

On Sunday, 25 May he was charged with two counts of sexual assault. Following a week-long trial, a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual assault. He was found not guilty of the other count of sexual assault.

Insp Richards 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.”