Former UK police officer found guilty of sexual assault, barred from future service.

Former West Mercia Police officer Liam Smith was found guilty of sexual assault and has been barred from ever working as a UK police officer. Smith, 31, inappropriately touched a woman while off-duty in 2022 and was sentenced to a community order, rehabilitation, unpaid work, and fines. A misconduct hearing deemed his actions gross misconduct, leading to his addition to the College of Policing Barring List. Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones stressed zero tolerance for such behavior in policing.