Ex-PC banned from profession after sexual assault

Patel would have been immediately dismissed had he not resigned, the force said

A former police officer has been banned from the profession after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault.

Hatel Patel, who resigned from the Greater Manchester Police while under investigation in October 2022, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of two women over the age of 16.

The 39-year-old was given an eight month sentence, which was suspended for two years, at Manchester Magistrates' Court in March.

During a police misconduct hearing, Chief Constable Stephen Watson said Patel would have been dismissed without notice if he had not previously resigned.

In his ruling, Mr Watson said Patel, who was not present at the hearing, acted in a "thoroughly offensive, unprofessional and disturbing manner" while commending the victims for their "courage and integrity" in coming forward.

He said: "Mr Patel has paid a heavy price for his offending.

"He rightly stands convicted of sexual offences; it has caused him to lose his position as a constable and he has lost his good name and reputation.

"Given the features of this case I find I am unable to reconcile the maintenance of public confidence with doing anything other than making the clearest declaration that had Mr Patel not resigned, I would have dismissed him from the service without notice."

Patel has been placed on the College of Policing's barred list.