Met Police rocked as officer accused of rape wins High Court battle to overturn dismissal
High Court Reinstates Sergeant Lino Di Maria
Sergeant Lino Di Maria, once stripped of his warrant card in September 2023, has successfully challenged his dismissal in the High Court. Di Maria lost clearance under Operation Assure, a crackdown launched by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to remove officers under serious allegations by revoking their vetting.
Despite facing shocking claims—including two sexual assaults and rapes in public car parks in 2018, a rape and indecent exposure allegation from 2015, inappropriate messages to colleagues, and domestic abuse accusations from an ex-partner—Di Maria denies all charges. None have been proven in court.
Landmark Ruling Throws Met’s ‘Cleanup’ into Chaos
This verdict now threatens to blow a hole in the Met’s efforts to oust officers accused but not convicted of crimes. Sir Mark Rowley, who previously branded Di Maria’s past “ghastly,” is expected to respond formally. London Mayor Sadiq Khan slammed the ruling as “deeply concerning,” warning it “has significant implications for the work the Met is now doing to clean up the force.”
Hundreds of Officers Could Return to Duty
- Over 100 officers dismissed under Operation Assure might be reinstated with back pay.
- Officers accused—yet never convicted—of sexual and domestic abuse could march back into uniform.
- Even one officer arrested in the US over allegations of grooming a 13-year-old girl could benefit from this ruling.
Public Outcry Grows Over Police Accountability
Critics argue this decision shatters public trust, especially in the shadow of appalling scandals like the murder of Sarah Everard by PC Wayne Couzens and serial rapist PC David Carrick’s convictions. The Met has yet to confirm if it will appeal, but Rowley’s leadership faces intense scrutiny over balancing public safety with the rights of accused officers.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
