Met Police officer denies raping a woman on Brighton beach during a bachelor night

A Met Police officer has denied raping a woman after a stag night in the water near Brighton beach.

According to reports, the assault on July 17 of last year was committed by sergeant Laurence Knight, 33, when he was off duty.

A court heard that the officer had first seen the lady during the early morning hours of the night out.

According to the prosecution, the two went to the beach together, stripped to their underwear, and then ended up in the water, where they are said to have engaged in sexual behaviour.

After the complaint was made, he was detained on July 28 of 2021 and suspended from Stoke Newington Police Station in north London.

At Southwark Crown Court, Knight, a member of the Met’s Detention Unit, was accused of rape and sexual assault. He rejects both accusations.

The officer was granted bail before his June 19 hearing by Judge Phillip Bartle QC. A week is anticipated for the experiment.

Following Sgt. Knight’s arrest, the Independent Office for Police Conduct received a required reference from the Met.

The IOPC decided that the Met should be in charge of the misconduct probe.

After Knight was accused of rape last summer, Sussex Police issued a statement that read: “Sussex Police has arrested a man after a lady reported being raped on Brighton beach on Saturday, July 17, 2021.”

On July 28, 33-year-old Met Police officer Lawrence Knight was detained on rape suspicion and later freed on bail.

Sgt. Knight, of Waltham Forest, east London, is given bail on the condition that he not get in touch with the complainant.

He will make his next court appearance at Southwark Crown Court on June 19, 2023.

After learning of the accusation, Met Detention’s chief superintendent, Pete Gardner, said: “We realise people will be justifiably worried to hear about this extremely serious claim against a serving police officer.”

We definitely share that concern, and I appreciate Sussex Police’s comprehensive investigation and ongoing professional assistance to the victim.

“The Directorate of Professional Standards of The Metropolitan Police are fully aware, and misbehaviour issues will be addressed when the criminal processes are through.” The policeman has been relieved of duty.