A senior Metropolitan Police officer who was caught pleasuring himself on Hampstead Heath had to be told ‘three times’ to stop during his arrest, a court heard.
Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, 48, was spotted by fellow officers who were ‘shocked and upset’ to see a senior colleague with his trousers down at the popular north London beauty spot on March 18.
The detective, who was attached to the Met Operations Command and was off-duty at the time, appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court today.
The court heard that the two officers who saw and arrested Alexander were in Hampstead Heath conducting a search linked to an unrelated incident.
Following his arrest Alexander, of Archway, said in interview he was a ‘homosexual man’. He added: ‘Hampstead Heath was a well-known place in the LGBTQ community for open sex or public sex.’
Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander (pictured), 48, who was caught pleasuring himself on Hampstead Heath had to be told ‘three times’ to stop during his arrest, a court heard
He was spotted by fellow officers who were ‘shocked and upset’ to see a senior colleague with his trousers down at the popular north London beauty spot (pictured) on March 18
Joe Mensah, prosecuting, said: ‘At some point [the two officers] split and went off on different paths. They were both in plain clothes. One of the officers came across him. His attention was drawn to him through the bushes. He considered that this individual was acting strangely or at least felt that he needed to keep an eye on him.
‘He then continued with his search. Then the defendant re-emerges into a clearer space where there is no obstruction. He observes the defendant to be performing a sexual act.
‘The officer observes his exposed, erect penis, and observes the defendant to be masturbating and stroking it with his right hand. The officer then said: ”Put that away mate”.
‘That didn’t seem to stop him so he repeated the command and brought out his card. This caused the defendant to immediately comply and to become apologetic. The officer then called his colleague to assist him and Alexander was arrested. This was an area that had people, members of the public present.
‘The officers, on their way to the location, having parked the vehicle observed at least two people and then on their way back to the vehicle observed at least four to five people in a public space.’
The officer that saw Alexander allegedly exposing himself gave evidence in court from behind a screen.
Describing Hampstead Heath on that day he said: ‘It was very public, very open. At that time of year there are not many leaves on trees so you can see all around. There were quite a few members of the public around at the time.’
The officer added: ‘When I first looked at the defendant he looked at me with what I can only describe as a strange way.’
He said he then took a right turn to continue with his search, but knowing that he needed to keep an eye on Alexander. Then, he says, he saw Alexander with his penis out.
Alexander, who was attached to the Met Operations Command and was off-duty at the time, appeared at Stratford Magistrates Court (pictured) today
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Asked if Alexander had his penis out for an innocent reason the officer said: ‘That is not my belief, no. I reacted as most people would, I was shocked and upset. I raised my voice, I said put that away maybe twice, maybe three times.’
After he had shown his police badge the officer said that Alexander said something along the lines of ‘please don’t, please don’t’.
When he was cross-examined by Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob, he said he hadn’t considered that this was an area where gay men met to have sex.
‘No that wasn’t on my mind,’ the officer said. ‘I believe that someone mentioned something about Hampstead Heath but I wasn’t aware of the exact location.’ He acknowledged that no one else had been present when he saw Alexander.
In interview Alexander claimed he exposed himself because he thought the officer was a gay man who was attracted to him.
Giving evidence, he told the court that he is from Poland and that he came to the UK because he thought it was more ‘civil’ towards gay people.
‘I thought the only way to improve my life was to change something, and I chose to go to the UK. I felt the UK was the most civil place to be.’
Asked why he was on Hampstead Heath that day he said he wanted to relax as his job is very stressful.
He said: ‘This was my day off. On my day off I like to switch off and go for a walk, listen to a podcast or music. Not being around other people allows me to relax best. Hampstead Heath is a beautiful picturesque area.’
He added: ‘At some point I noticed a male in his 30’s or younger, about 6ft2. He looked at me intently for a number of seconds. It was a very keen look. That area of the heath is a well known area where LGBTQ, gay men go to pursue sex.’
Alexander said that he would not have done what he did if any other members of the public had been present.
He was asked how the incident had affected him and responded: ‘The 24 hours I spent in custody was something I found hugely distressing. I knew my entire life would be turned around. My job in the Met was everything that I was proud of and everything I cared for. I knew this would impact my entire life.’
In cross-examination, he was asked why he hadn’t first tried to speak to the officer, to which Alexander said: ‘I cannot say why I did not do that.’
Colleagues of Alexander gave character evidence on his behalf.
Detective Inspector John Millward said: ‘He’s one of my best detectives. He’s thorough, conscientious, excellent with victims and their families.
‘He is very popular at the station and has an ability to make friends. I have never experienced anything that would make me concerned about his behaviour towards anybody.
Another officer, Nush Puvitharam said that she had known Alexander since June 2020 and added ‘he is my right-hand man’
Alexander denies public indecency.
The trial continues.
