Met cop, 34, ‘raped woman in sea on his Brighton stag-do as she begged “you’re getting married in 2 weeks”‘
A POLICE sergeant raped a stranger in the sea on his stag do, a jury heard.
Laurence Knight is said to have struck hours after he and his pals were entertained by strippers at their Airbnb.
Knight, 34, and his friends shared wine with the 21-year-old on Brighton beach after meeting her in the city centre in July 2021.
The court heard that many bars and clubs were shut as Covid restrictions were still in place.
Knight, based at Stoke Newington Police Station in North London, is said to have coaxed the girl into the sea after moaning he was having a “rubbish night”.
The jury heard he then raped her as they trod water in their undies, despite her saying: “You’re getting married in two weeks.”
Maryam Syed, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey in London: “The prosecution say this defendant, out on his stag night, took advantage of this young woman who was clearly in drink.”
The woman told police: “I think I was just in like shock because it had just changed so quickly.
“We weren’t that far out, so I think I just kind of like — I mean you can’t run in the sea but just tried to get away and move away from him.”
She later told friends: “I think I need to call the police. It is an emergency.”
In a written statement during his police interview, Knight said any touching was consensual.
Following his arrest, the Met referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Knight, of Leyton, East London, denies rape and sexual assault.
The trial continues.