Met Police sergeant Steven Rea convicted of assaulting boy
A Metropolitan Police custody sergeant has been found guilty of assaulting a 14-year-old boy.
Steven Rea was in charge of the custody suite at Bexleyheath police station when he beat the boy, who had been arrested for shoplifting and assault.
Rea, 39, was sentenced on Friday to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 costs.
Another officer at the station raised concerns about the attack last October, the Met said. Rea remains suspended.
'Let everyone down'
Det Ch Supt Alaric Bonthron said: "The custody sergeant has responsibility for the welfare of those within the custody suite, especially the young and vulnerable.
"The public has a right to expect that anyone brought into a custody suite will be treated in an appropriate manner,
"Steven Rea let everyone down when he assaulted this boy and it is right that he has been convicted at court."
Rea will now face Met misconduct proceedings.