A DETECTIVE accused of putting a black toy monkey on a colleague's desk will be put before a misconduct hearing later this month.

Andrew Mottau, a detective sergeant for Thames Valley Police, is alleged to have told the woman to make him tea 'when the black monkey starts to sing'.

He is also accused of making racist remarks and asking her to embrace the monkey, as well as stopping her from removing it from her desk.

A spokesman for the Force said: "On or about August 15 last year, he placed or caused to be placed a black toy monkey on the desk of a black female member of staff, saying words to the effect of 'when the black monkey sings it is your turn to make the tea'.

"He refused to allow her to move the black monkey and made various comments to her of a racist, inappropriate and disrespectful nature by reference to the black monkey.

"These included on more than one occasion, saying to her that as she had the black monkey it was her time to make the tea and indicating that he wanted her to make him a drink, and on a further occasion asking her if she would like to embrace the black monkey."

Det sgt Moutta faces a four-day hearing starting on Monday, April 24 in Kidlington, Oxford after being accused of gross misconduct.

Thames Valley Police refused to confirm where det sgt Moutta operates, but described the alleged actions as 'behaving in a manner likely to bring discredit on the police service and undermine public confidence'.