POLICE INSPECTOR JAMES BEAUTRIDGE IN MAIDSTONE FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT AND FACING MISCONDUCT PROCEEDINGS

A police inspector named James Beautridge has been convicted of assaulting a woman and is now subject to misconduct proceedings. The incident occurred at a property in Maidstone on September 2, 2023, leading to his arrest and suspension from duty. The 49-year-old, charged with assault by beating, pleaded not guilty on April 22, 2024. He appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on November 5, where he was remanded on bail with strict orders not to contact the victim or visit Salisbury Road in Penenden Heath. On May 2, at Southend Magistrates’ Court, Beautridge was convicted of assault and received a community order requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, along with a £650 fine. Following his conviction, the Kent Police professional standards department confirmed that misconduct proceedings against him would continue. The court's images show him being convicted of the assault. This case has prompted the police force to implement enhanced vetting procedures aimed at restoring public confidence. Official police statements highlight the importance of maintaining high standards and the duty to report concerns. These vetting reforms will come into effect from May 14, 2025, and include comprehensive background checks for all officers, as well as automatic dismissal measures for those involved in certain offences such as domestic and sexual abuse. The incident has raised wider concerns about misconduct within policing, particularly regarding the abuse of women and girls, with advocacy groups urging policy and legislative reforms to address systemic issues. Inspector James Beautridge now faces a misconduct hearing as part of the ongoing disciplinary process.