Police officer sacked for biting and scratching woman as he kissed her in a bar

A police officer has been sacked for violently scratching a woman’s throat and biting her lip as he kissed her without consent.

A disciplinary hearing ruled PC Liam Richards behaved aggressively and without consent towards the woman known as Miss A at Vodka Bar in Winchester in October 2021.

Richards told the hearing he asked for consent before kissing her and denied behaving innappropriately.

Nick Hawkins, legally qualified chairman, ruled the case against Richards who has now been added to the College of Policing’s list of barred officers.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: ‘Let me be clear, the intimidating and aggressive behaviour of PC Richards has absolutely no place within the police service and no place in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

‘I would like to thank Miss A for having the courage to report this incident, knowing the individual was a police officer, and for trusting us to complete a thorough investigation and progress the case to a disciplinary hearing, which has resulted in his dismissal from the force.

‘I am disappointed that the actions of this one individual will cause public concern.

‘Our communities should have confidence that we are dedicated to ensuring the highest professional standards of our staff and officers and that we will confront behaviours that fall short of those expectations and root out those who have no place in the service.

‘Sadly, PC Richards’ actions have undermined the great work that our officers and staff are doing every day to relentlessly pursue criminals and seek justice for victims.

‘The overwhelming majority of our officers and staff deliver their policing role with professionalism and integrity at all times, whether they are on or off duty.

‘The public rightly expects Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to protect them and keep them safe.’

Alan Jenkins, representing Hampshire Constabulary, said Richards was aggressive towards the Miss A when ‘he bit her lip and forced his tongue into her mouth’.

He said: ‘They kissed again, when he was also aggressive, and he scratched her throat with a fingernail on two occasions.

‘She felt intimidated by his behaviour and decided to get away from him and mix with others, although both remained in the Vodka Bar but in different areas within the building.’

Mr Jenkins said Miss A suffered an injury to her lip and added: ‘The appropriate authority suggests that those injuries would not have been caused by “normal” and consensual kissing.’

He said it implied ‘aggressive and forceful conduct by this officer’ and ‘it also strongly implies a lack of consent on their part as well as an absence of regard for their feelings on his part’.

Mr Jenkins said Richards was arrested on the night of the incident but not charged with a crime.

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