Police Officers Charged With Assault on Babar Ahmad

Four police officers accused of a “serious, gratuitous and prolonged” attack and racist abuse of Babar Ahmed are to be charged with assault.

From the Press Association:

“The officers, all members of the Metropolitan Police's territorial support group, will be charged with causing actual bodily harm

The Crown Prosecution Service said Pcs Nigel Cowley, John Donohue, Roderick James-Bowen and Mark Jones will appear before magistrates on September 22."

An original Met inquiry concluded no officer should be disciplined and prosecutors did not bring criminal charges. Inquiries into the attack were marked by the loss of key documents, including previous complaints against the officers, and the refusal of some to attend court.

Simon Clements, a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said,

"Babar Ahmad was arrested by the officers on suspicion of terrorism offences. Mr Ahmad suffered a number of injuries during that arrest, including heavy bruising to the head, neck, wrists and feet.

The Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence on how those injuries were caused from the Independent Police Complaints Commission in 2004. We took the view at that time that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction of anyone involved.

Following Mr Ahmad's successful civil proceedings for compensation from the police in the High Court last year, his solicitors asked the CPS to look at the evidence again. The Director of Public Prosecutions asked the Special Crime Division to do so. We have now completed our review of the evidence.

Our conclusion is that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge four of the officers involved in the arrest of Mr Ahmad with causing actual bodily harm to him, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861."

Commenting on the decision by the CPS, Mr Ahmad issued the statement,

"I am pleased that the CPS has decided that a jury will hear the evidence in this case and it will now be for the jury to determine whether any police officer should be punished for the assault upon me in December 2003. I have no further comment to make at this time."

Sadiq Khan, Mr Ahmad’s MP said on the charges,

"I am pleased that the CPS decided to look at this incident again. There are serious issues to be examined here surrounding the conduct of the arresting officers. It is important that these very serious allegations are properly considered in a criminal court."

Comments

Add New