Ex-Met Cops Guilty of Racist WhatsApp Messages
Michael Chadwell, 62, from Liss, Hampshire, was slammed guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 6 November. He admitted sending grossly offensive racist messages via public communication.
Chadwell joins five other former officers who’d already pleaded guilty to similar charges linked to a notorious WhatsApp group. All six men retired from the Metropolitan Police between 2001 and 2015.
All Set for Sentencing in December
The full gang face sentencing together at the same court on Friday, 8 December.
Commander James Harman, head of the Met’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, said: “As soon as we learned of these allegations, we launched an investigation that led to these former officers being charged and convicted. The content of these messages is appalling and criminal. They will disgust the public and my colleagues across the Metropolitan Police.
No serving officers were involved in the group. But because these men once wore the Met badge, we acknowledge this case may harm public confidence in policing. Still, it shows our unwavering commitment to tackling misconduct, investigating thoroughly, and prosecuting where justified.”
The Full Line-Up of Guilty Ex-Officers
- Peter Booth, 66, of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire – pleaded guilty to four counts. Retired April 2001.
- Robert Lewis, 62, of Camberley, Surrey – pleaded guilty to eight counts. Retired May 2015.
- Anthony Elsom, 67, of Bournemouth, Dorset – pleaded guilty to three counts. Retired May 2012.
- Alan Hall, 65, of Stowmarket, Suffolk – pleaded guilty to three counts. Retired June 2015.
- Trevor Lewton, 65, of Swansea – charged with one count. Retired August 2009.
All served in various Met units but spent time with the Diplomatic Protection Group, now the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
