Policeman accused of missing girl sex abuse

Thursday 20 May 2010 10:13 EDT

A Metropolitan Police officer was charged today with sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who had gone missing from her family.

Pc Robert Nicholson, 27, based at Limehouse Police Station in east London, will appear at City of Westminster magistrates' court on 2 June.

An inquiry was launched after police found the teenager had spent time with the officer after disappearing.

It is understood they first made contact when the officer visited her family and later met him in December last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the case was referred to the watchdog by the Met's directorate of professional standards.

Nicholson, who was first arrested on December 18, faces one charge of sexual activity with a child, an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the officer has been suspended from duty.

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