Andrew Kirkland

A former Metropolitan Police officer, Andrew Kirkland, has been sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl. The incident occurred in March 2021 when Kirkland, then 42 years old, sneaked into the child's bedroom and performed a sex act over her while believing she was asleep. The assault was exposed when the young victim informed her mother that she suspected a man had been taking photos of her with his phone.

Investigators from the Metropolitan Police gathered crucial evidence, including DNA on the victim's bedding and nightie that matched Kirkland's profile. Additionally, searches on his phone revealed visits to pornographic websites, including queries on how to get into bed with a sleeping person. Kirkland, who had been based in Ickenham, London, as a neighbourhood officer, denied the charge of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13. However, following a four-day trial at Reading Crown Court, a jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict.

Prior to this conviction, Kirkland had a history of misconduct. He was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police in 2014 after being convicted of theft by an employee and two counts of fraud by abuse of position. One fraud charge involved using his work phone to contact sex chat lines. Now residing in Stoney Stanton, Leicester, Kirkland was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Judge Kirsty Real highlighted the victim's vulnerability during sentencing, noting her young age and the fact that she was ostensibly asleep.

The child's mother provided a victim impact statement, describing how the assault has left the youngster fearful, constantly thinking she has seen or heard Kirkland and jumping at certain noises. As the verdict was announced, sighs of relief echoed from the public gallery, while Kirkland's head fell into his hands. His defence counsel, Colin McCarraher, acknowledged the difficulties Kirkland would face in prison as an ex-officer, but the judge's remarks underscored the severity of the offence.

This case, reported by The Independent with additional reporting by agencies, underscores ongoing issues within the Metropolitan Police regarding officer conduct, especially in light of related stories about racist and sexist messages among officers and other sexual offence charges against retired personnel.