Met detective guilty over Sally Bowman photos
Bowman familyA Metropolitan Police detective who showed colleagues images of the body of a teenager who was raped and murdered in 2005 has been found guilty of gross misconduct.
A hearing ruled Det Sgt Jason Grafham's actions had compounded the emotional harm and grief suffered by the family of Sally Anne Bowman and that there was no policing reason for him to possess the photographs of the 18-year-old.
He was also found guilty of making a number of sexually inappropriate, discriminatory and/or derogatory remarks to colleagues.
Grafham would have been dismissed from the force as a result of the findings, but he retired a day before the tribunal began.
Tribunal chairman Cdr Paul Trevers said displaying the photos without any policing purpose “was profoundly inappropriate and failed to treat the victim with dignity.
"Even after 20 years, the emotional harm, grief and disruption to [the Bowman family's] lives remains significant and the officer's actions compounded this."
He said the behaviour was "wholly inconsistent with locally recognised practice" and had "significant potential to undermine confidence in policing standards".
Photocopies of the images were found during a search of Grafham's desk in 2024.
One witness said she believed he had kept them for "entertainment and bragging purposes".
In his defence, Grafham's representative, Mark Scrutton, said Grafham was "incredibly proud" of his role as an exhibits officer in the case.
Bowman's killer, Mark Dixie, was jailed in 2008 for a minimum term of 34 years.
Grafham was also accused of making five sexually inappropriate remarks to colleagues and three discriminatory and/or derogatory remarks between March and December 2024.
All but one of the discriminatory and/or derogatory comments were proven.
Det Ch Supt Angela Craggs said Grafham‘s actions were “despicable, incomprehensible and deeply disrespectful”.
"I am profoundly sorry to the family and loved ones of Sally Anne Bowman for the additional pain and distress caused to them by what he did.
"Grafham's comments to colleagues were also incredibly offensive and inappropriate. There is no place in the organisation for those who think such behaviour and language is acceptable."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk