Police officer who punched woman suspect repeatedly in attack caught on CCTV is spared jail

 
Assault: CCTV shows PC Kiddie launching an attack on the suspected shoplifter
Alexandra Rucki12 March 2014

A police officer who punched a suspected shoplifter in the head before pinning her to the ground has been sentenced to a community order.

PC James Kiddie, 44, was found guilty of common assault after CCTV footage showed a fight between him and the woman.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the Met officer searched the woman’s bag in Uniqlo, Regent Street, on November 26 last year following a call from shop security.

But after searching her bag the officer assaulted the woman, punching her three times in the head and yanking her hair before handcuffing her hands behind her back.

PC Kiddie was removed from operational duties and an investigation was launched after the CCTV footage was discovered.

Assault: CCTV shows PC Kiddie launching an attack on the suspected shoplifter (CCTV from ITV)

He was found guilty following a three-day trial at Westminster Magistrates' court.

Simon Byrne, Territorial Policing Assistant Commissioner, said: "Police officers join the Met to protect and serve the public. Today his colleagues will be sickened by what they see.

"Where an officer's behaviour falls short of the very high standards that we and the public expect of them, then it is only right that they are held to account for their actions.

"The actions of one officer abusing his position in this way can cast a shadow over the thousands of officers who are on duty right now demonstrating bravery, compassion, integrity and professionalism.”

The court heard Kiddie has no previous convictions, but the Westminster officer had two previous disciplinary findings of "incivility" against him on his police record.

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