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  "path": "/news/metropolitan-police-recruitment-campaign-officer-charged-stalking-samson-akinnawo",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-14T11:37:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Argentina scales up military amid fears over Britain's sovereignty of Falkland Islands",
    "Keir Starmer risks new rift with Donald Trump as he refuses to back easing Russian sanctions",
    "Migrants 'to be handed 40 per cent of new homes by 2030'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA Metropolitan Police officer who fronted the force's recruitment campaign has been charged with stalking and harassment.\n\nPC Samson Akinnawo, 35, appeared before Thames Magistrates' Court to answer accusations relating to his alleged conduct towards Melieka Daley.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe officer was prominently featured in the Met's Change Needs You campaign in July 2024, where he spoke about his childhood ambition to join the police service.\n\nMr Akinnawo also appeared in promotional materials for the force as part of the recruitment initiative.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCharges against him relate to alleged behaviour between June and August of last year.\n\nThe prosecution alleges Mr Akinnawo repeatedly telephoned and sent messages to Ms Daley during this period.\n\nHe is also accused of visiting her residence and telling her he had tracked her movements from her workplace.\n\nFollowing his arrest, the officer allegedly contacted the complainant's friend.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nProsecutors told the court that the alleged stalking inflicted significant harm and emotional distress upon Ms Daley.\n\nThe behaviour is said to have affected her ability to carry out everyday activities.\n\nScotland Yard confirmed the charges were brought following Mr Akinnawo's arrest in July 2025.\n\nAt the hearing, Mr Akinnawo pleaded guilty to a charge of refusing to provide police with the passcode to his mobile phone on 26 November last year.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Argentina scales up military amid fears over Britain's sovereignty of Falkland Islands\n  * Keir Starmer risks new rift with Donald Trump as he refuses to back easing Russian sanctions\n  * Migrants 'to be handed 40 per cent of new homes by 2030'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDistrict Judge Lisa Towell granted the defendant conditional bail pending his next court appearance.\n\nHe is scheduled to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 10 April, where he will enter pleas to the stalking and harassment charges.\n\nThe 35-year-old, who resides on Walton Road in Newham, previously worked as both a prison officer and a bus driver before joining the police.\n\nAt the time of the alleged offences, he served in the Met's Specialist Operations unit and remains suspended from duty.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Face of Metropolitan Police's recruitment campaign charged with stalking woman"
}