A Metropolitan Police sergeant who headbutted a man at a wedding has been dismissed without notice.

James Harris was off-duty when he “lost control of himself” at the reception in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on June 30, 2018.

At a misconduct hearing yesterday (Thursday, May 11), Mr Harris, of the North West Command Unit which covers Barnet, Brent and Harrow, was found to have committed gross misconduct and breached the standards of professional behaviour.

He was previously charged with one count of actual bodily harm by Hertfordshire Constabulary but the case was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles called it “completely unacceptable” and said Mr Harris has “now paid the price of losing his job as a police officer”.

He said: “Police officers have to maintain the highest standards of behaviour on, and off, duty.

“We need police officers who are calm and composed and help to de-escalate situations.”

Mr Harris will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list.