Serving Met officer raped woman on his stag night, court told

Laurence Knight, who denies the allegations, has been suspended from duty by the Metropolitan police. Photograph: James Manning/PA

A serving Metropolitan police officer raped a woman in the sea on Brighton beach on his stag night, a court has heard.

Sgt Laurence Knight, 34, is said to have met the woman, a stranger, in the early hours of 17 July 2021 while in the city centre. Prosecutors say the pair walked to the beach together, undressed to their underwear and ended up in the sea.