A Met officer has been dismissed after sexually assaulting a woman at a beauty salon. PC Mark Thomas was off duty and working at a clinic when he sexually assaulted a female client during a treatment on August 3, 2022. A police investigation was carried out by Cambridgeshire Police. PC Thomas, based in Met Operations, was arrested as part of inquiries, but police say the evidential threshold was not met and the criminal investigation was closed.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Stancombe, Professional Standards, said: “PC Thomas’ actions were particularly disturbing given his attempts to use the beauty treatment as a cover to commit the offence. This must have been an awful experience for the victim, and I commend them for coming forward. We continue to go above and beyond to rid the organisation of those who corrupt our integrity.”

A Met Police panel concluded PC Thomas had "breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct".

The Met added that he will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing.

Those on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, nor His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The force also said that, prior to the misconduct hearing PC Thomas also received reflective practice to consider his actions and learning for the future in relation to his failure to register the beauty clinic as a business interest.