Cop Cleared Of Punch And Cover-Up Bid

A police detective - who also runs a child nursery with his wife - has been found not guilty of punching a sacked ex-employee in the face and perverting the course of justice.

Detective Constable Narinder Bargota, 46, (pictured) was accused of trying to convince her to drop the complaint against him with a "sob story" it was alleged.

Nursery manager Kirndeep Gill, 28, claimed she was told to: "Fuck off. Fuck yourself. Leave," when sacked from the Willowtree Marina Day Nursery, West Quay Drive, Yeading by Bargota and his wife Meenu.

Miss Gill had told the Met officer, based in Hillingdon Borough, the ratio of staff to children was too low and she was unhappy about lies the couple told parents concerning what the children - aged six months to four years-old - were eating.

She later reported the nursery to education standards watchdogs Ofsted.

Miss Gill told Harrow Crown Court she heard a thud near her vehicle after parking near her home and found the defendant leaning against a garage door when she investigated.

"He strolled over to her and without any preamble punched her to the right side of her face," said Mr. Neil Guest, prosecuting.

Bargota was arrested at home on August 22, refused to answer questions, but in a prepared statement denied assault.

Bargota, of Dane Road, Southall was unanimously acquitted by the jury of assaulting Miss Gill on August 11 and perverting the course of justice on August 31.