Met Inspector Michael Richards convicted of sexual assault in central London pub

A Metropolitan Police inspector was convicted of sexual assault after touching a woman in a central London pub while off-duty. Inspector Michael Richards, 40, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court on 10 August 2026 of one count of sexual assault. He had been charged with two offences after an incident on 17 September 2024 near Leicester Square.

Police were called to the pub following reports that Richards had touched the bottoms of a man and a woman. He was arrested, interviewed and released on bail while investigations continued. The Met suspended him from duty the same day.

Trial outcome and next steps

Richards was formally charged on 25 May 2026. After a week-long trial, a jury delivered a split verdict. They convicted him of assaulting the woman but acquitted him of the charge involving the man. He remains on suspension pending sentencing.

Southwark Crown Court will sentence Richards on 25 September 2026. The Met has also scheduled an accelerated misconduct hearing, which could result in his dismissal from the force. The process is separate from the criminal case and will assess whether his conduct breached professional standards.

Met response and wider context

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, from the Met’s People Directorate, said Richards’ behaviour fell below the standards expected of officers. He thanked colleagues who reported the incident and held Richards accountable. The Met has repeatedly urged staff to challenge poor conduct, whether on or off duty.

Richards was attached to the Met’s Learning and Development Command at the time of the offence. The unit is responsible for training new officers and developing professional standards across the force. His suspension remains in place while internal and criminal proceedings continue.

What happens next

Richards will return to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on 25 September 2026. The court will consider the offence, his record and any mitigating factors before imposing a penalty. Separately, the Met’s misconduct hearing will determine whether he should be dismissed from the force.

The case follows a series of high-profile scandals involving Met officers, including convictions for sexual offences and breaches of trust. The force has introduced new vetting procedures and mandatory training in an effort to restore public confidence.