Former Metropolitan Police officer sexually assaulted colleague while on duty

A former police officer has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a colleague while on duty.

PC Archit Sharma's offence, which took place on 7 December 2020, was called a "betrayal" by a senior officer.

Following an investigation, he was charged on 28 July 2021.

Sharma - who was attached to the North Area Command Unit - was convicted of sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court on 6 March. He resigned four days later.

On Friday at the same court, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for ten years and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.

The former officer will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, responsible for local policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: "Former PC Sharma's behaviour was abhorrent. His actions were a betrayal of our policing values.

"I hope that this outcome highlights how seriously we take reports of sexual offences, no matter who the perpetrator.

"Following his conviction, we began proceedings for an accelerated case hearing which has upheld the allegations of misconduct."