CHEAM POLICE OFFICER ANDREW PACKHAM JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGER IN HAMMERSMITH

In August 2004, a disturbing case of misconduct involving a police officer from Cheam has come to light, culminating in a conviction that has shocked the local community and the wider public. PC Andrew Packham, aged 43 and residing on Fields End Road in Cheam, was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl during his duty hours.

The incident took place in Hammersmith on the night of July 13 of the previous year. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, had been left to sleep alone in her boyfriend’s car after he was detained earlier that evening. She was listening to music when she was approached by PC Packham, who was based in Hammersmith, along with another officer, just after 2 a.m.

The girl recounted to Snaresbrook Crown Court that she was smoking rolling tobacco at the time when Packham approached her. According to her testimony, he told her to exit the vehicle, claiming he could smell drugs. She described how he then conducted a body search, patting her down and, inappropriately, placing his hand under her clothing to briefly touch her breasts over her bra. She further explained that Packham pulled at her trousers by the waistline and briefly glanced down, an act she found humiliating and invasive.

Several hours later, the officer returned to carry out another assault, which she described as equally humiliating and intrusive. Initially, she believed she could trust the police, which led her to dismiss the incident at first. However, she took note of Packham’s vehicle registration number, an act of awareness that later proved crucial.

Packham, however, claimed that the girl had exposed herself to him sexually, a defense that was ultimately rejected by the jury. The court found him guilty of two charges of indecent assault. As a result of his conviction, he has been prohibited from working with children under 18, and his name will be permanently added to the sex offenders’ register.

Judge David Pitman addressed Packham directly during sentencing, condemning his actions as bringing disgrace upon the police service. The officer showed no visible emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.

In a statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Carl Bussey, who heads the Metropolitan Police’s internal investigations unit, expressed outrage and disappointment. He stated, “It is beyond our comprehension that a serving police officer thinks he can indecently assault a 16-year-old girl twice while on duty, and get away with it. Fortunately, the victim had faith in the police and the court system, and we did not let her down.”