A serving Metropolitan police officer who viciously attacked a woman on a dark street in South East London last year has been jailed for a year and four months.

In the early hours of July 9, 2022, police officers on patrol in the Forest Hill/Brockley Rise (SE23) area were alerted of the attack by members of the public after the off-duty officer pushed the victim to the ground.

PC Thomas Andrews, a police officer serving with the Met’s Central South Command Unit, was arrested at the scene at around 1am after the woman he pushed had suffered grazing.

Andrews had since been suspended from duty by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and was charged with actual bodily harm, criminal damage, and three counts of intentional strangulation on January 19.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, who leads the Central South Command Unit, said: “I am saddened by this incident and grateful to members of the public who raised the alarm, resulting in PC Andrews’ prompt arrest.”

“Under the leadership of Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, everyone in the Met is clear that we must root out those who corrupt the integrity of our organisation. This will take time, but we are absolutely committed to achieving high standards.”

Thomas Andrews appeared in Woolwich Crown Court on March 6 where he was handed a 16-month prison sentence and a restraining order. He will also face a misconduct hearing in the near future.

The Met is currently reviewing allegations of sexual offences and domestic violence against women and girls that were made against 1,071 police officers and other staff members over the last 10 years.

Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, warned that two to three Met officers will appear in court each week.

The review of misconduct allegations within the Met is expected to be completed by the end of this month, according to the BBC.