Category Archives: Assaulted by Police
COP SACKED FOR PRISONER VIOLENCE
Essex Police have sacked an officer for using excessive force when handling a female suspect.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Catherine Renew, a police detention officer with the Essex force, had been dismissed for gross misconduct despite being cleared of criminal charges.
The IPCC said she had failed to treat a woman detainee with respect and dignity, and did not provide appropriate care.
IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne, said: “The police have a duty of care to people in custody and they should be treated with decency and respect, which clearly did not happen in this case.
“Catherine Renew not only used excessive force on a distressed and vulnerable woman who posed no threat to her, but treated her with a disturbing disregard throughout by using derogatory language and showing little or no concern for her welfare.
“Our investigation was prompted by Essex Police who rightly referred the matter after viewing CCTV from the custody suite, and being concerned by what they saw.
“I commend Essex Police for the serious action they have taken on the back of our investigation in showing that conduct of this nature by custody staff will not be tolerated.”
Renew was working in the custody suite at Grays Police Station when the 36-year-old woman was brought in at about 11.20pm on June 11, 2010. The woman was booked in by a custody sergeant and then taken into a separate room by Renew so she could change into different clothing, the IPCC said.
When in a cell alone with the detainee, Renew took the woman to the floor with excessive force. As the woman lay apparently unresponsive Renew used derogatory language towards her, the statement added.
Other officers then entered the cell, placed the woman in the recovery position and an ambulance was called. Renew was cleared of a criminal charge of actual bodily harm after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court last year.
VIOLENT COPS SENTENCED TODAY
Two members of police staff who assaulted an uncooperative prisoner in what was condemned as “a form of torture” will be sentenced today.
Police custody sergeant Stephen Harvey (left) twisted DIY shop boss David Healer’s arm behind his back so he would answer questions as civilian Detention Officer (CDO) Michael Mount (right) and two uniformed officers looked on.
Mount, 61, also grabbed and twisted the Seaham shopkeeper’s arm in the “sad and astonishing” incident, Independent Police Complaints Commission investigators said.
Mr Healer, 48, told Teesside Magistrates he thought he would die in the attack at Peterlee Police Station, County Durham, last March.
Harvey, 50, of Chester-le-Street, and Mount, of Thornley, both County Durham, argued they had used reasonable force to restrain Mr Healer, who had been arrested on suspicion of breaching bail conditions and who had assaulted a police officer.
But magistrates rejected the claim, after a trial.
The police constables who witnessed the attack will now be tried for misconduct, an IPCC spokesman said.
IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “A detained person is not under obligation to answer questions.
“It would appear Sgt Harvey and CDO Mount had forgotten this and decided it was necessary to try to gain compliance through the use of force.
“It is sad and frankly astonishing that in the 21st century experienced members of the police service believed inflicting pain as a way of eliciting responses to questions was acceptable.
“I consider it completely unacceptable and it could be argued their actions amounted to a form of torture.”
‘BRUTAL CUSTODY COP’ VICTIM RECEIVED DEATH THREATS
SERGEANT MARK ANDREWS
A woman dragged across the floor of a Wiltshire police station by a custody sergeant received death threats because of the notoriety of the case, a court heard.
Pamela Somerville, 60, of North Colerne, Wiltshire, was captured on CCTV being thrown head-first on to the concrete floor of a cell by Wiltshire Police Sergeant Mark Andrews.
She had been detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test after being found asleep in her car. The charges were later dropped.
The incident in July 2008, after which Somerville needed stitches to a gash above her eye, made headlines across the world.
Sgt Andrews was jailed for six months in September 2010 but was released on bail after six days pending an appeal.
A judge later quashed his conviction and sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm.
Wiltshire Police later sacked the former soldier but a police appeals tribunal ordered that he be given his job back. The force is seeking a judicial review to challenge the ruling.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Somerville had since lost her job as a medical sales rep, was suffering from mental health problems, had received death threats and was a “prisoner in her own home”.
The details of how her life had changed since the incident at Melksham police station emerged during an appeal hearing against a drink-drive conviction.
Somerville was challenging a 16-month driving ban imposed at Bath Magistrates’ Court in January after admitting a charge of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
COPS CONVICTED OF ‘TORTURE’ – OTHERS FACE MISCONDUCT CHARGES
SGT STEPHEN HEALEY (L) AND CDO MICHAEL MOUNT CONVICTED
The police watchdog has condemned as “a form of torture” the actions of two cops from County Durham convicted of assault at a police station.
David Healer, 48, screamed in agony when he had his arm forced behind his back by police custody sergeant Stephen Harvey, 50, so he would answer questions.
The assault at Peterlee police station, County Durham, was witnessed by two Durham Police officers and by 61-year-old civilian Detention Officer Michael Mount, who also grabbed and twisted Mr Healer’s arm.
Mount claimed he thought Mr Healer, a DIY shop boss, was about to fall and be injured. The shopkeeper said he was so frightened by the attack last March that he thought he would die.
The police constables who witnessed the attack will now be tried for misconduct, an IPCC spokesman said.
Harvey, of Chester-le-Street, and Mount, of Thornley, both County Durham, were convicted following a two-day trial at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.
They argued they had used reasonable force to restrain Mr Healer, who had been arrested on suspicion of breaching bail conditions and who had assaulted a police officer.
Chairman of Bench Oliver Johnson said the bench had deliberated long and hard over their decision.
He said: “In our view this way exceeded what was necessary for this purpose. We saw no sign of any aggression from Mr Healer and found the suggestion that he may fall was implausible as there was two Pcs behind him and he was slumped over a desk.”
Sentence was adjourned until April 20, for reports. The men were released on unconditional bail.
