Serving police officer from Colchester appears in court accused of stalking
PC Jonathan Simon has denied the charges against him
A serving Metropolitan Police officer has appeared in court accused of stalking a woman while he was on duty.
Pc Jonathan Simon, 43, allegedly started a sexual relationship with Shahina Bakaoolah after she called police over a dispute with a neighbour.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that he suggested she get into prostitution and recommended a website when she told him about her money difficulties.
Prosecutor David Roberts said the officer turned up at the complainant's home and the bank where she worked, in full uniform with a colleague, after she told Simon she no longer wanted to see him.
Simon, who has been suspended by the Met, where he is attached to the East Area Command Unit, was arrested on Monday and held in custody overnight before appearing in the dock on Tuesday.
He spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Colchester, Essex, before pleading not guilty to a charge of stalking between October 1 last year and July 1 this year.
Judge Nina Tempia said he faces a one-day trial at the same court on October 6.
Simon, who joined the police as a special constable in 2010 before becoming a salaried officer in 2013, was granted bail on conditions he does not contact the complainant or go into the areas in east London where she lives and works.
The Met said its Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.