Date set for former Oxford detective's misconduct hearing

Former DCI James Senior, who led Thames Valley Police’s flagship Project Vigilant tackling sexual violence in city centres at night, is accused of failing to act on an allegation of sexual misconduct at a party in 2021, disclosing details to the alleged attacker, writing a false witness statement and sharing misogynist material on WhatsApp.

Together with Met Police sergeant Anish Sharma, who is accused of exposing himself to the witness who reported the incident to Mr Senior, the former Oxford detective was due to have a panel hear the misconduct allegations in July.

The week-long hearing had to be adjourned at the last minute, however. Now, a notice published on Thames Valley Police’s website this week says the rearranged hearing will begin on September 4. The panel will be chaired by solicitor James Rickard.

READ MORE: Detective's misconduct hearing postponed 

Mr Senior, who was formerly based at St Aldates police station in Oxford, is accused of failing to properly act when a woman claimed she had been sexually assaulted by a Met Police sergeant during a party in Oxfordshire on July 30, 2021.

It is alleged that Mr Senior also allowed the sergeant, Anish Sharma, to leave the party – having disclosed details of the alleged assault to him.

The former senior detective is also accused of writing a ‘false and misleading’ witness statement about what he had been told by the alleged victim.

Separately, he is said to have exchanged WhatsApp messages with Sgt Sharma that were ‘grossly offensive, derogatory, discriminatory and misogynistic’.

The Met Police sergeant faces allegations he placed his hand on the witness’s thigh and exposed himself to her during the party.

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