Met Police officer sexually assaulted woman in the sea after his stag do
29.06.2023 - 17:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in the sea after his stag do.
Sergeant Laurence Knight, 34, is believed to have met the woman, a stranger, in Brighton city centre in the early hours of July 17, 2021. Prosecutors said they walked to the beach together, stripped to their underwear and ended up in the sea where the incident took place.
Knight, of Leyton, East London, was charged with rape and sexual assault following the incident - he denied both charges. He has also been suspended from duty by the Met.
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He was found not guilty of rape by a jury at Southwark Crown Court following more than seven hours of deliberations. Jurors were not asked whether that verdict was unanimous or a majority decision.
However, he was convicted of sexual assault by a majority of 10 to two. He has been bailed ahead of his sentencing hearing at the same court on July 28.
The woman had been out with a friend when they came across a "jovial" group of men who seemed confused about where to go, the court heard.
During her police interview, the woman told officers that Knight wanted to go into seam while she didn't want to but was persuaded. He told her "it was his stag night, he was meant to be having fun but it was turning into a rubbish night".
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Jurors heard that the defendant looked as though as he was going to cry so the woman agreed and took off her dress because she didn't want it to get wet. Knight proceeded to go behind the woman in the water and moved her underwear, after which the alleged sexual activity took place,