A serving Metropolitan Police inspector is facing prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman during a night out with colleagues in central London. Inspector Michael Richards will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 25 September.
Richards, 40, who is attached to the Met’s Learning and Development Command, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 10 August, where a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual assault. He was found not guilty of a second count.
Inspector Michael Richards: what the court heard
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. He had been on a night out with colleagues and was off duty at the time.
Following his arrest and interview, Richards was released on bail while enquiries continued, and he was suspended from duty.
On Sunday, 25 May he was charged with two counts of sexual assault. After a week-long trial, the jury convicted him of one count and acquitted him of the other.
“Fell well below what we expect”
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,” Ch Supt Wilson added.
Accelerated misconduct hearing to follow
The Met confirmed that Insp Richards will now face an accelerated misconduct hearing, the fast-track disciplinary process used for officers convicted of criminal offences.
He remains suspended from duty ahead of his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on 25 September.
Reporting based on the Metropolitan Police.
