Serving Metropolitan police officer PC Emeri Ratucoko, who is attached to the Central West Command Unit, arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in London, where he has denied groping a woman during a night out
(Picture: PA)A serving Metropolitan Police officer has appeared in court to deny groping a woman in a London nightclub.
PC Emeri Ratucoko, 37, is accused of grabbing the alleged victim’s breast at the club in Kingston during a night out on February 7 this year.
Westminster magistrates court heard the officer also allegedly became involved in an altercation with the bar manager after the incident.
Ratucoko has been charged with sexual assault and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.
Appearing in the dock at Westminster magistrates court, the PC spoke to confirm his identity and entered not guilty pleas to both charges.
Ratucoko elected for his case to be tried by a jury and it was sent by District Judge Nina Tempia to Kingston crown court.
The officer, who was off-duty at the time of the incident and has been placed on restricted duties by the Met, is set to appear in court next on August 10.
He first appeared before a panel of magistrates in Wimbledon at the end of June, when the case was sent to Westminster to appear in front of a District Judge due to his job as a police officer.
The PC was released on bail until the next court hearing.
