Sacked police chief granted appeal hearing

A FORMER high-flying officer and role model in the Metropolitan Police who was convicted over a child abuse video she received on Whatsapp has been granted a court of appeal hearing.

Robyn Williams, previously one of the country’s most senior black female officers, was sacked in March after being convicted of unwittingly receiving an indecent image on social media. The prosecution accepted she had no sexual interest in children. Williams is seeking to overturn her conviction and to be reinstated in her role.

Senior judges will hear the case during a leave-to-appeal hearing. If successful, the judges will hear a full appeal against conviction.

The 54-year-old acting chief supt was convicted of possessing an illegal video sent via Whatsapp, even though experts said there was no evidence she had viewed it.

Victor Marshall, of the Police Superintendents’ Association, which has been supporting Williams, told The

Guardian: “Our member continues to protest her innocence … an appeal has been lodged and the court will let us know when it will be heard.”

Ms Williams was placed under investigation in Feb 2018 after her sister forwarded her a 54-second clip featuring a child engaging in a sex act with a man. She was one of 17 people in a Whatsapp group to be sent the clip with a message expressing disgust.

She was ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and register as a sex offender.