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Women officers sue Met over sex abuse

Two women police constables are suing the Met for 1 million pounds (Dh5.54 million) each over sexual harassment allegations against three male officers.

  • By Tim Stewart and Anna Davis, Evening Standard
  • Published: 23:38 January 7, 2009
  • Gulf News

London: Two women police constables are suing the Met for £1 million (Dh5.54 million) each over sexual harassment allegations against three male officers.

Julie Facey and Paula Church launched the legal battle against the force after claiming they were pestered for sex and sexually assaulted in a two-year ordeal. They are also suing the three officers at the centre of the claims, who were based at Hornchurch and other police stations in the Romford area at the time.

They claim that police chiefs pressurised them into agreeing not to bring criminal charges.

They say they were ostracised and victimised and that their careers have been halted after senior management failed to help. The women accused Paul Leggatt, Jason Bell and Ron Prado at Stratford Employment Tribunal of unseemly sexual behaviour.

Misconduct

In legal papers, Facey, 33, of Stanford-le-Hope, said Leggatt pulled down his trousers and asked her to perform a sex act on him as he drove a patrol car. She accused him of pestering her for sex and pleasuring himself as she sat next to him in the car, while Church, 35, also accused Leggatt of groping her three times.

Church said Bell, stalked her, kissed her against her will, quizzed her about her underwear and suggested sexual forfeits.

He allegedly threatened to kill her if she went out with anyone.

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