A serving Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded not guilty to a series of child sex offences including grooming a 13-year-old girl to meet up with him for sex.

Francois Olwage was arrested at an address in Basingstoke, Hampshire, after he had been in communication with the profile of the teenage girl as part on an undercover operation by Hertfordshire Police.

The 51-year-old detective constable, who is attached to the Met’s specialist operations, pleaded not guilty at Winchester Crown Court to engaging in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

He also entered not guilty pleas to arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and meeting a girl under the age of 16 following grooming.

Prosecutors say the alleged offences occurred between 14 and 29 October this year.

Olwage, of Wornham Avenue, Stevenage, appeared by video-link from HMP Winchester for the short hearing on Friday.

Judge Susan Evans QC ordered him to remain in custody and set a trial date of 11 April next year, with a further pre-trial hearing to be held on 18 March.

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The Met previously said its Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and Olwage has been suspended.

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

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