A serving officer of the Metropolitan Police is facing trial for his alleged involvement in child sex.
Police constable Hussain Chehab has been charged with 13 offences including sexual activity with an underage girl and taking indecent images of children.
Chehab, arrested in July 2021, is accused of sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15, taking indecent images of children and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
He also allegedly distributed indecent images of a child and encouraged or assisted in the distribution of indecent images of children.
The alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2021. The officer, who has now been suspended from duty, appeared before Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in London.
The Directorate of Professional Standards of the Met Police was informed of the development in connection with Chehab who worked in the North Area Basic Command Unit (BCU) of the UK’s largest police force.
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who is in charge of policing for the North Area Command Unit, admitted that the crime the officer was accused of would cause concern within the community.
“We recognise that this news will cause concern within the community and we have fully engaged with our local partners throughout this investigation,” Haines said.
“The Met has announced a comprehensive review of its standards as part of a genuine commitment to rebuild trust but I understand that developments such as this undermine that work,” the detective chief superintendent said.
“We would encourage anyone who has concerns about the actions of any of our officers to report them to us immediately.”
Met Police officer investigated for 13 child sex offences
Police constable Hussain Chehab was arrested in July 2021.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)