PC Christopher Gudgeon, then aged 43, a serving police constable with the Metropolitan Police Service, has been convicted of sexual assault at Croydon Crown Court following a criminal trial.
Gudgeon, who was attached to the force’s Central South Command Unit, carried out the offence while off-duty on 25 June 2022 at a residential address located in south London.
The court was told that Gudgeon targeted the female victim, who was known to him, subjecting her to unwanted sexual touching over her clothing and forcibly kissing her against her will.
The victim reported the incident to police two days later on 27 June 2022.
Detectives launched an immediate inquiry and arrested Gudgeon later that same day before releasing him on bail pending formal charges.
During his Crown Court trial, Gudgeon entered formal denials to the sexual assault charge.
While he admitted under examination that he had attempted to kiss the victim on two occasions, he lied to the jury by claiming that he had immediately and peacefully left the premises when she rejected his advances.
Following deliberations, the jury rejected his defence, returning a guilty verdict on Friday, 11 September.
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, responsible for policing across the Central South Command, stated that police officers are fully aware that their behaviour remains subject to the highest levels of scrutiny whether on or off duty, condemning Gudgeon’s actions as completely unacceptable and commending the survivor for her courage in reporting the offence.
Gudgeon remains suspended from operational policing duties.
In addition to criminal sentencing, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that Gudgeon will be subject to internal gross misconduct proceedings overseen by the Directorate of Professional Standards in due course.
The presiding judge adjourned proceedings, with sentencing listed to take place at Inner London Crown Court on 20 November.
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