BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TUBE CLAIMED HE WAS 'BEING PLAYFUL'
A serving British Transport Police (BTP) officer has been convicted of sexually assaulting a colleague, claiming his behaviour was "playful".Police Sergeant Tristan Davis was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault at Inner Crown Court on Friday 14 October.
He will be sentenced on 18 November.
The conviction comes just days before new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley told ITV News that hundreds of officers should be sacked for misconduct.
PS Davis sexually assaulted another officer on an escalator at London Bridge station while they travelled back from a night out socialising with colleagues on 23 April 2021.
The BTP officers boarded the same train, and Davis assaulted the victim on two further occasions despite her attempts to push him away.
The victim was forced to leave her seat and stand in the aisle to stop Davis.
She bravely reported the incident, and Davis was immediately suspended.
During his police interview, Davis tried to claim his actions and behaviour had been "playful".
A fast-track misconduct hearing will be held to determine his employment status.
Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland stated: "I would like to be completely clear that Tristan Davis does not represent the values of BTP officers.
Thanks to the victim coming forward, detectives launched a thorough investigation and brought him before the courts.
Behaviour like this is not "playful" – it is a serious criminal offence and will always be treated as such.
I am appalled that a serving officer could conduct himself this way.
We will relentlessly challenge and investigate any officer who breaks the law or fails to meet standards."
