Officer cleared over prisoner ‘assault’

A “calm and professional” police officer who was accused of repeatedly kicking a detainee held in custody has been found not guilty. Police Constable John Senior, of Essex Police, was charged with common assault in May following allegations he booted a prisoner in the head, face and arms several times at Chelmsford police station. The officer claimed he had acted in self defence during the incident on November 1, 2016. PC Senior kicked the prisoner in the upper body to create space between himself and his potential attacker, which is “consistent with police training”, South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court heard. The prisoner had been taken into custody for breaching his bail conditions. CCTV footage played to the court showed PC Senior kicking the man and getting into an altercation with him after he attempted to choke himself. Sergeant Matthew Belcher told the court PC Senior is a “calm and professional” officer.