A Met Police officer has pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm following an on duty incident in the borough of Kingston last summer.

PC Thomas Karlsen, attached to the South West BCU, which covers Teddington and the Richmond borough as part of its patch, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (27 June) where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

In November 2022, PC Karlsen attended an address in New Malden following a report of a domestic dispute.

On arrival, he arrested a man but proceeded to punch and kick him twice, whilst also using PAVA spray at close proximity.

He was interviewed and later suspended from duty.

Following yesterday's court hearing, PC Karlsen was released on bail and will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 8 August.

Misconduct proceedings will now take place.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of SW BCU, said: "The powers given to us as officers must be used fairly and professionally and it is clear that this was not the case on this occasion.

"The high standards we expect were not met and it is right that appropriate action was taken."