A SERVING police officer has appeared in court accused of raping a woman in the sea.
Sergeant Laurence Knight is said to have met the woman, a stranger, in the early hours of July 17 last year while on a stag do in Brighton city centre.
Prosecutors say the pair walked to the beach together, undressed to their underwear and ended up in the sea, where sexual activity is said to have taken place.
The 33-year-old officer was not on duty at the time of the reported offence.
Knight was arrested on July 28 last year and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Wearing a dark blue suit, pale shirt and yellow tie, he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Waltham Forest, east London.
He was not asked to enter pleas to charges of rape and sexual assault.
District Judge Nina Tempia granted Knight bail on the condition he does not contact any prosecution witnesses.
Knight, who the Metropolitan Police said has been suspended from duty, will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on August 2.
Scotland Yard previously said he was off duty at the time of the alleged offences.
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