Six ex-Met police officers sentenced for sending 'racist' WhatsApp posts
Several ex-Metropolitan Police officers have been sentenced for sending racist, sexist and homophobic messages on WhatsApp.
The six former cops were all convicted of improper use of a public electronic communications network and given suspended prison sentences. Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikran dismissed suggestions their views were "merely antiquated" and said they had "harmed public confidence in the police". The group, who retired between 2001 and 2015, were convicted following an investigation by officers from the Met's professional standards team. One of the sick messages featured a racially offensive picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton greeting black children through a wire fence. All six They served in the Met throughout their careers and all spent time in the Diplomatic Protection Group - the same elite unit as evil killer cop Wayne Couzens
Commander James Harman, who leads the Met’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, said: “The racist and discriminatory content of these messages is absolutely appalling and, given the defendants once served as police officers, we recognise this case may further damage confidence in policing. Colleagues across the Met will also be disgusted and will be pleased to see the outcome today
"The messages were brought to our attention by the BBC's Newsnight programme in October 2022, and we made our first arrest soon after we were notified. I hope this case also demonstrates our commitment to take all allegations of criminality and misconduct seriously, investigate those reports thoroughly and, where we have evidence of discrimination and abuse, to bring criminal charges against individuals.
"The messaging in this case took place on WhatsApp – but it could have been on any other platform, or communicated verbally. It is less about the technology – it is the underlying mind-set and the conduct that is so important for us to deal with.”
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Other vile messages exchanged in the group included racist jokes about Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Megan. There was also a mocked up picture of Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel and Sajid Javid under the street sign reading "Browning Street".
Michael Chadwell, 62, was found guilty of sending by public communication a grossly offensive racist message, at City of London Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 November. He was sentenced to 10 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 100 hours of unpaid work. He retired from the Met in 2015. The five other officers appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in September, where they pleaded guilty to 19 offences.
Peter Booth, 66, who retired in 2001, pleaded guilty to four counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages and was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 140 hours unpaid work. Robert Lewis, 62, who retired in 2015, pleaded guilty to eight counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages and was sentenced to 14 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Anthony Elsom, 67, pleaded guilty to three counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages and was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 140 hours of unpaid work. He retired from the Met in May 2012. Alan Hall, 65 and retired in 2015, pleaded guilty to three counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages and was also sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 40 hours of unpaid work.
Trevor Lewton, 65, pleaded guilty to one count of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and 65 hours of unpaid work. He retired from the Met in August 2009.
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