In a stunning case that blurs the lines between law enforcement and criminality, a serving Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to prison for blackmailing a registered sex offender.
PC Sukhjit Singh, 29, exploited her position and knowledge of police systems to target her victim, posing as a member of a paedophile hunter group to demand money and intimidate him.
The Elaborate Sting Operation
The court heard how Singh, while off-duty, contacted the man via WhatsApp in November 2022. Posing as a vigilante, she threatened to publicly expose his status as a sex offender unless he complied with her demands.
Using details only accessible through police databases, she demonstrated intimate knowledge of his case, lending credibility to her threats. The victim, fearing public exposure and violence, felt he had no choice but to engage with his blackmailer.
A Breach of Trust and Power
Singh's actions represent a profound breach of the trust placed in police officers. Prosecutor Edward Brown KC detailed how she "abused her position as a police officer to seek to intimidate and blackmail a vulnerable man."
The investigation revealed that Singh had accessed police systems to gather information on the victim prior to the blackmail attempt, using her professional access for criminal purposes.
The Fallout and Sentencing
At Inner London Crown Court, Singh was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to blackmail. Judge Benedict Kelleher condemned her actions, stating they "undermined public confidence in the police" and involved a "significant abuse of trust."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that misconduct proceedings are now underway, which will likely result in her dismissal from the force. A spokesman stated that such behaviour has no place in the Met and that they expect the highest standards from their officers.
This case raises serious questions about oversight within police forces and the potential for those in positions of authority to exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
