A police officer accused of seeking a sexual relationship with a woman he met during a burglary investigation is set to stand trial in August next year.
PC Matthew Peall, 45, is accused of abusing his role as a police officer to repeatedly contact the woman between October and December 2019.
It is said Peall met the woman, Louise Scott, through his role with Kent Police, and went on to “pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with her”.
Peall appeared at Southwark crown court on Thursday for a briefing hearing, as Judge Tony Baumgartner set a trial for August 5 next year.
The police officer, who lives in Dover, did not enter a plea to the single charge of misconduct in public office.
It is said Peall “contacted Louise Scott on occasions when there was no policing purpose”.
Peall, who is a serving officer, was freed on unconditional bail until a further pre-trial hearing on June 21.
The officer, based in Canterbury, was charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Announcing the charge, an IOPC spokesman said: “A Kent Police officer is due in court to face a charge of misconduct in a public office (MIPO) relating to an allegation he abused his position for a sexual purpose, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“Between October and December 2019, the officer is alleged to have pursued an inappropriate relationship with a witness during the course of an investigation in Canterbury.
“We began our investigation in February 2020 after we received a mandatory conduct referral from the force. In February 2021, we completed our investigation and sent our final report and a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.”
