12-05-2025
Police instructor ‘threw petrol bombs' at car after end-of-course celebration
A Metropolitan Police instructor threw petrol bombs at a car after celebrating the end of a training course, a misconduct hearing has been told.
Pc James Duthoit allegedly threw Molotov cocktails that led to a blaze at the riot training base in Gravesend, Kent.
Mr Duthoit was among a team of officers and students celebrating the conclusion of the five-week public order instructors course in March 2022.
The group ended up at a medical hut within the training centre and had been drinking, the hearing was told.
Many of the officers and students returned to their bedrooms on site, but Mr Duthoit and others, including two Canadian students, allegedly remained at the medical hut.
It is said that they armed themselves with petrol bombs at 2.10am and hurled them at a car at the £41 million facility.
The vehicle was engulfed in flames and the blaze had to be put out with 150 handheld fire extinguishers.
The incident caused £10,000 worth of damage, the hearing was told.
George Thomas, from the Met Police, told the panel: 'In the period of time that followed [the conclusion of the course], petrol bombs were taken, someone lit a petrol bomb and threw it.
'More than £10,000 of damage occurred, notwithstanding efforts from Pc Duthoit and the Canadian students to put out the fire.'
'Substantial fire'
Within the facility is a mock town that features a classroom and a stripped-down pool car.
'At about 2.10am on 18 March, petrol bombs which had previously been made for use during public order training were thrown,' Mr Thomas said.
'It was clearly a substantial fire... a significant feature of this case is that no one has taken responsibility for throwing any of the petrol bombs, nor has anyone given a reliable, accurate account of what happened that evening.'
The petrol bombs were made on site and stored in a specific area on the compound, the hearing was told.
Mr Duthoit was said to be 'one of several officers responsible for throwing petrol bombs' and faces a charge of discreditable conduct.
He has since left the force and is not attending the hearing.
Mr Duthoit had earlier denied misconduct and claimed he 'has no recollection of personally ever throwing a petrol bomb'. The hearing continues.
