EXCLUSIVE: Met Police officer accused of sexually assaulting woman in her sleep has identity withheld

A Met police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman a number of times while she slept has had his identity protected.

The man, called Officer A in a notice published by the force is set to face allegations at a misconduct hearing that the assaults took place more than once while the woman was asleep and without her consent.

A hearing is set to begin on March 24 for four days at a centre in south west London.

The notice says: "Officer A will answer allegations that his conduct amounts to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

"It is alleged that the conduct of Officer A has breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, as follows: Officer A is alleged to have digitally penetrated Ms B, on more than one occasion, during her sleep and without her consent."

Such misconduct cases often follow a criminal investigation which was not proceeded with.

Misconduct cases are conducted under the lower civil balance of probability test as opposed to the criminal test of beyond reasonable doubt.

Officers can can their identities withheld for certain reasons such as protecting the identities of other witnesses or for mental health reasons.