Metropolitan Police officer denies sexual assault on male colleague

A Metropolitan Police officer will face trial next year after pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting a colleague.

PC Joseph Demir, 24, of Birch Court, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, denied the only charge when he appeared for an 18-minute hearing at Harrow Crown Court in north-west London on Thursday.

The charges relate to an incident on March 10, 2020, in which Demir is accused of inappropriately grabbing a male colleague in the groin area over his clothing at Hendon Training School.

The defendant, who was wearing a dark blue suit, a light shirt and a blue tie, only confirmed his name and date of birth in his speech and pleaded not guilty.

Demir, who is assigned to the North West Basic Command Unit and is only allowed to carry out restricted duties, was released on bail.

His trial is scheduled to take place at Harrow Crown Court on 8 May 2023.