A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of perverting the course of justice after fabricating a child sex assault claim. Hitesh Lakhani, 42, a police constable with the Central West Command Unit, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 10 December.
While off duty on 5 September 2018, Lakhani contacted the police to report that a child had been sexually assaulted. This allegation prompted a full police investigation. However, no evidence was found to support the claim, and CCTV footage analysis confirmed that the alleged attack never took place.
Lakhani remains on restricted duties following the conviction. He is scheduled to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 10 January 2020. In addition, a police misconduct hearing will take place now that the criminal proceedings have concluded.
This case has raised further concerns about integrity within the Metropolitan Police Service.
Originally published by UKNIP.
