Met police officer admits sexual assault

A working Metropolitan Police officer has admitted sexually assaulting a woman off duty.

Detective Constable Jose Poonsawat, who is attached to a Met unit covering south London, appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

He was released on bail to appear for sentencing on Friday, August 23.

The court heard how he was charged after he was accused of sexually touching a woman without her consent during an off-duty incident on December 16, 2022.

Met Commander Seb Adjei-Addoh, who leads policing in Lambeth and Southwark, said: “My thoughts are with the victim who showed courage in reporting this sexual assault.

“Officers are rightly held accountable for misconduct by the courts.

“In this case, DC Poonsawat has pleaded guilty and is now awaiting sentencing.”

Scotland Yard said the incident was being investigated by officers from Bromley and the Met’s domestic abuse and sex crime team.

This is under the force’s Professional Standards Directorate.

There will now be a misconduct hearing into DC Poonsawat’s future in the force