A police officer who "assaulted a child by spanking her bare bottom" has been dismissed after a misconduct hearing.

PC Ross Benson, who was attached to the North West Basic Command Unit of the Metropolitan Police covering Brent, Barnet and Harrow, was found to have committed gross misconduct at a hearing on Friday (September 27).

A Met Police spokesperson said a misconduct panel found PC Benson "assaulted a child by spanking her bare bottom on numerous occasions".

The misconduct panel concluded that PC Benson breached standards of professional behaviour and dismissed the officer without notice.

Led by an independent chair, the panel heard that PC Benson spanked a girl - who was aged between 12 and 13 at the time - "on numerous occasions", between April 2018 and August 2018.

It was also alleged that there was a "sexual element" to the spankings.

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The girl was said to be known to him and the incidents happened when BC Benson was off-duty.

PC Benson was arrested by Bedfordshire Police in November 2020, on suspicion of sexual assault, but was informed that no further action would be taken in September 2021.

Bedfordshire Police later contacted the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and a misconduct investigation was launched.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, acting North West Basic Command Unit Commander for the Met Police, said: "My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim who displayed courage in reporting this.

"PC Benson’s abhorrent behaviour has led to his immediate dismissal, which is a decision I fully support.

He added: "I hope this outcome demonstrates how we are rooting out those who do not demonstrate the high standards we demand from our officers."

Following his dismissal, PC Benson will be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing.

This prevents him from being employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.