A police officer who forcibly pushed a man’s head into a wall while he was trying to arrest him in Brixton was today (3 February) given a three-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay £1,000 by Southwark Crown Court.
PC Gareth Knight, 38, attached to Lambeth borough, had been found guilty of causing common assault and actual bodily harm at the same court on Wednesday (1 February).
On 30 January last year, Knight arrested a man in Brixton Road on suspicion of possession of drugs. During the arrest and search Knight also attempted to headbutt the man.
The Metropolitan Police directorate of professional standards received a report from Knight’s supervisors and he was summonsed and placed on restricted duties.
As well as the suspended sentence, Knight was told to pay £500 in compensation to the victim, £500 in court costs and given 150 hours unpaid community work.
He was suspended from duty following conviction and a misconduct review will now take place.
Detective Chief Superintendant Matt Gardner, in charge of the Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “It is the responsibility of all police officers to conduct themselves in a manner that meets the high standards of what the public and the organisation expect of them.
“The actions of PC Knight lets down all his colleagues, who work hard day and night to protect Londoners and catch criminals.”
The man arrested by Knight was cautioned later that same day for possession of drugs.
