Met Police: Officer admits sending 'grossly offensive' WhatsApp messages

  • Published
New Scotland YardImage source, PA
Image caption,

Pc Tom Phillips, 34, from Croydon, was suspended from duty

A Metropolitan Police officer has admitted sending "grossly offensive" messages of an "indecent, obscene or menacing character".

PC Tom Phillips, 34, from Croydon, was suspended from duty after sending five WhatsApp messages between 8 April and 8 May 2021 that were allegedly in breach of the Communications Act 2003.

Phillips pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier, having originally denied the offences.

He is due to be sentenced on 25 August.

Phillips was off duty when the offences took place. The Met Police's Directorate of Professional Standards is investigating.

Follow BBC London on Facebook, external, Twitter , externaland Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk