Metropolitan Police PC denies nightclub sexual assault of a woman in Kingston

A serving Metropolitan Police officer will stand trial next summer over a claim he groped a woman during a night out.

PC Emeri Ratucoko, 37, grabbed the the alleged victim’s breast at a nightclub in Kingston, south-west London, on February 7 this year, it is said.

Ratucoko, who was off-duty at the time of the alleged incident, appeared in the dock at Kingston crown court on Wednesday afternoon.

The police officer pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual assault.

Judge Rajeev Shetty adjourned the case for a trial, lasting up to five days, which is set to begin on August 29 next year.

The officer, from Wandsworth, south-west London, elected a jury trial at his first court appearance last month, and previously indicated he would fight the sexual assault charge.

The Metropolitan Police said the officer has been placed on restricted duties, he currently has no face-to-face contact with the public and no involvement in the investigation of sexual offences.

He will be on unconditional bail until his trial.