A Met Police officer who was jailed after sexually assaulting a woman on Brighton beach has been barred.

An accelerated misconduct hearing has found that the officer, who resigned after being convicted, would have been dismissed without notice were he still in post.

The hearing was held less than a week after criminal proceedings concluded.

Former Sergeant Laurence Knight, who was attached to Met Detention, was jailed at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 28 July, for 12 months for one count of sexual assault following an investigation by Sussex Police.

On July 16, 2021, he was on his stag weekend in Brighton when he sexually assaulted a woman in the sea. The matter was reported to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched.

Knight was identified as a suspect and arrested on 28 July 2021. The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and he was suspended from duty.

He was convicted at the same court on Thursday, 29 June. Following his conviction Knight resigned from the Met.

At his sentencing, he was given an additional 12 months on licence, issued with a restraining order, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

The one-day misconduct hearing found that Knight had breached the standards of professional behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Peter Gardner, responsible for Met Detention, said: "Knight's actions were thoroughly reprehensible and I recognise his behaviour would have further damaged the public's trust in the police. The Commissioner has been clear that there is no place in the Met for officers who corrupt our integrity. Knight was suspended as soon as his offending came to light and had he not resigned he would have been dismissed with immediate effect.”

Knight will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. He cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

Anyone with any information about a police officer or member of staff who works for the Met and is corrupt, abusing their position and power, can call the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Hotline, run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 085 0000 or complete the online form.