Sex assault PC guilty of gross misconduct

Ex-PC Liam Smith, who was based in Shrewsbury. was on a night out off duty, when he sexually touched a woman over her clothing

An ex-police officer who sexually assaulted a woman on a night out should have been sacked if he had not chosen to resign, a misconduct hearing has concluded.

Liam Smith, who is now 31, was based in Shrewsbury and working for West Mercia Police at the time of the offence, in September 2022.

In July last year, he was sentenced him to a nine month community order for assaulting his victim by sexually touching her over her clothing whilst off-duty.

Smith was guilty gross misconduct and seriously breached standards of professional behaviour through discreditable conduct, the panel at the hearing said.

Dep Ch Con Rachel Jones said: "Sexual assault is abhorrent and the fact that Smith was a serving officer when this assault took place makes his crime all the more reprehensible.

"Quite simply, officers like Liam Smith have no place in policing."

Smith was suspended when the allegations came to light, before resigning from the force on 3 December 2023.

In June 2024 he was found guilty in court of one count of sexual assault.

Victim praised

As well as the nine-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, Smith was sentenced to 140 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2000 in costs as well as a £114 victim surcharge.

"This is another case which demonstrates that we won't hesitate to take action against officers who break the law, or breach the high standards expected of them as part of their role," Dep Ch Con Jones said.

She thanked the victim for coming forward to report what Smith had done to her.

He will now be added to the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from working for a UK police service in the future.

West Mercia Police confirmed that the outcome of the hearing was subject to the normal appeals process.