Officer who Tasered race guru charged with assault

A police officer who Tasered a 63-year-old race relations adviser after allegedly mistaking him for a wanted man is set to face a charge of common assault next month. Avon and Somerset Police Constable Claire Boddie, 47, will appear at Taunton Magistrates Court on August 14. An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation was launched after Avon and Somerset Constabulary voluntarily referred a complaint about the incident. The inquiry finished in June and a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, who decided there was sufficient evidence to charge PC Boddie. The incident made national headlines after a video of the event was widely shared online.