- PC Rachel Bright denied sexual assault and opted for a jury trial
A female police officer complimented a woman on her body and then put her hand up her skirt after drinking Prosecco on a night out, a court heard.
PC Rachel Bright, 45, from the South West Command Unit, is alleged to have attacked the woman in Wandsworth, south-west London, on December 5.
She allegedly put her hand up the woman’s skirt and touched her genitals over her clothing.
PC Bright appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court today wearing a blue top, black blazer and black trousers.
The Sutton police officer denied the assault and opted for a jury trial.
PC Rachel Bright, 45, from the South West Command Unit, is alleged to have attacked the woman in Wandsworth, south-west London, on December 5 (stock image)
PC Bright appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court today wearing a blue top, black blazer and black trousers
PC Bright denies sexual assault and is chosen for a jury trial
Prosecutor Melanie Hardwick said the officer was on a night out in Wandsworth at the time of the alleged incident.
She said: ‘The defendant is a senior police officer… based on the evidence that the defendant had been drinking Prosecco and gradually became more inappropriate towards the complainant.
‘She acted openly affectionate and complimented the complainant on her body.’
District Judge Devinder Sandhu granted her bail ahead of a plea and pre-trial hearing at Kingston Crown Court on November 6.
The judge warned her: “If you do not attend Kingston Crown Court by 10am that day you will be committing a second offense as failure to attend or appear late at court is in itself an offence.”
PC Bright was released on bail on the condition that she not contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
She has been suspended since she was charged and the Met’s Directorate for Professional Standards is aware of the case.