A misconduct hearing has heard that a Metropolitan Police detective displayed graphic crime‑scene photographs from the 2005 rape and murder of Sally Anne Bowman to colleagues for what was described as “entertainment and bragging rights”. The officer, who retired last Friday, denies keeping the pictures and says he is not present at the hearing because police misconduct panels cannot compel former staff to attend.
Allegations and tribunal evidence
The tribunal at Palestra House, Southwark, was told that Jason Grafham, who retired as a detective sergeant on 10 July, was an exhibits officer on the Bowman inquiry while serving in the Central Specialist Crime: Major Inquiries unit. Prosecutors say he frequently discussed his role in the investigation and that multiple colleagues reported he had shown them photographs taken from the scene where Ms Bowman’s body was discovered on 25 September 2005.
The hearing heard that a search of his desk on 23 December 2024 located photocopies described in evidence as “extremely graphic” inside a locked cabinet in a desk drawer. A witness identified only as Miss C told the panel the frequency with which the officer discussed the case had become a “running joke” among colleagues.
“it had become a ‘running joke’ how frequently Mr Grafham had ment”
Admissions, denials and nature of complaints
Representing Mr Grafham, Mark Scrutton of the Police Federation said the former detective admitted three allegations of sexually inappropriate remarks made to colleagues between March and December 2024. He denied a further two allegations of sexually inappropriate remarks and three allegations of derogatory and/or discriminatory remarks, the hearing was told.
- Officer: Jason Grafham, retired detective sergeant (Central Specialist Crime: Major Inquiries)
- Victim in original case: Sally Anne Bowman, murdered in 2005
- Evidence seized: ‘extremely graphic’ photocopies from a locked desk drawer following a December 2024 search
- Timeframe of alleged misconduct remarks: March–December 2024
Context and legal backdrop
Ms Bowman, then 18, was found naked and fatally assaulted in 2005; the court was told she had been raped and mutilated as she lay dying. Mark Dixie was convicted of her rape and murder in 2008 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 34 years. The present misconduct allegations against Mr Grafham relate to his conduct as an exhibits officer in that earlier investigation and to comments made to colleagues long after the original criminal proceedings were concluded.
| Allegation category | Number stated at hearing |
|---|---|
| Sexually inappropriate remarks (admitted) | 3 |
| Sexually inappropriate remarks (denied) | 2 |
| Derogatory/discriminatory remarks (denied) | 3 |
The hearing must also balance the rights of a retired officer who cannot be compelled to attend against the public interest in transparent scrutiny of police behaviour. Police misconduct proceedings can recommend sanctions affecting a serving officer’s career; when an individual has left the service, panels may still record findings that bear on reputation and public confidence.
The panel continues to hear evidence. No findings have yet been published and Mr Grafham is entitled to the presumption of innocence in respect of matters that remain contested at the tribunal.
