Latest news with #Pc
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Powys County Times
Child Q told she ‘may be arrested' if she did not consent to search, panel hears
A black schoolgirl who was strip searched by Metropolitan Police officers was told she 'might be arrested' if she refused to comply, a misconduct panel has heard. The girl, known as Child Q, was strip searched by officers in Hackney, east London, on December 3 2020 after her school wrongly suspected her of carrying cannabis. This involved the removal of the 15-year-old's clothing including underwear, her bending over and having to expose intimate parts of her body while she was menstruating, the panel heard. Trainee detective constable (TDC) Kristina Linge, Pc Victoria Wray and Pc Rafal Szmydynski, who were all Pcs at the time, all deny gross misconduct over their treatment of the girl. On Thursday, TDC Linge, who conducted the strip search alongside Pc Wray, told the misconduct panel in London she informed Child Q she 'might be arrested' when the girl asked what could happen if she refused to be searched, but that there had been 'no threat of arrest'. 'Will you accept you were giving Child Q the option of being strip searched or arrested?' Elliot Gold, for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), asked. 'There were no options given like that,' the officer replied. 'Do you accept that saying that to a 15-year-old might make them feel frightened?' Mr Gold continued. 'Yes,' TDC Linge responded. 'Do you accept that saying that to a 15-year-old might make them feel under duress?' he asked. 'Potentially,' she responded. The panel heard that when asked previously what the officer had proposed to do if she found cannabis on Child Q, TDC Linge answered: 'As per legislation, a juvenile found in possession must be arrested and brought to custody'. TDC Linge previously said Child Q had 'consented' to the search, but admitted under cross-examination on Thursday that this was not accurate. The officer confirmed she had completed equality training, including on unconscious bias and discriminatory stereotypes, and said she was 'aware' of stereotypes relating to black people. She said she did not 'see the relevance' of the fact Child Q was being questioned by two white police officers. Mr Gold asked: 'Would you accept that a stereotype of black people is they may more likely to be stopped and searched?' 'No,' TDC Linge replied. 'Would you accept that a stereotype of black people is they are more likely to be in receipt of use of force by police?' he continued. 'No,' she responded. The 46-year-old denied she 'did not recognise Child Q as a child' and was, in effect, 'treating her as older than she was'. The former Pc previously admitted a series of failings in her actions during the incident, including not making a record of the search or considering proportionality, and recognised the search should not have happened, accepting it had caused the child 'harm and distress'. When asked whether she would have done anything differently had the circumstances been 'exactly the same' but Child Q had been white, TDC Linge replied: 'No.' TDC Linge said she suspected Child Q was carrying a 'small amount' of cannabis, based on what she could smell and information from teachers. Pc Szmydynski, who stood outside the room while the search took place, told the panel on Thursday that the school's deputy safeguarding lead and headteacher had repeated the phrase that Child Q was a 'danger to herself and others'. The panel heard Pc Szmydynski requested attendance of another female to 'assist us with searching if need be', before speaking to Child Q to assess whether there were grounds for a search. Child Q told him she smelled of cannabis as she had been with someone earlier that day who had smoked the drug which, along with information from teachers, formed grounds for the search, the officer said. He denied that a 'strip search' was discussed in front of him or between himself, the teachers and Pc Linge. The officer, who joined the Met Police in 2014, described the child as 'very cultured and very polite', adding that she was not rude 'at any point' during their interaction. The panel heard the child informed the officers who searched her that she was menstruating, but the search continued during which her sanitary pad was exposed. When no drugs were found, Child Q's hair was also scoured. According to the allegations, Pcs Linge and Szmydynski performed a search that exposed the girl's intimate parts when this was 'disproportionate in all the circumstances'. Pcs Linge and Wray are also accused of performing or allowing the search in a manner which was 'unjustified, inappropriate, disproportionate, humiliating and degrading'. All of this happened without authorisation, in the absence of an appropriate adult, and with no adequate concern being given to Child Q's age, sex, or the need to treat her as a child, and that the child's race was an effective cause of this, it is also alleged. Pcs Szmydynski and Linge are further accused of giving a 'misleading record' of the search afterwards. On Wednesday, TDC Linge told the hearing she did not accept accusations of breaches of respect of authority and respecting courtesy. The girl will not be giving evidence at the tribunal 'because of the psychological effects' the search has had on her, the panel has heard. Outrage over Child Q's treatment led to protests outside Stoke Newington Police Station. Scotland Yard has previously apologised over the incident.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Drunk police officer told colleague ‘I bet you're a big boy'
A woman police officer groped a colleague during a drunken night out and told him 'I bet you're a big boy aren't you?', a disciplinary hearing was told. Pc Olivia Clinton, 30, is alleged to have then groped her colleague a second time over the crotch and said: 'I bet you're really fit, aren't you?' Later in the night out in Eastbourne with fellow officers, Pc Clinton, who was 'extremely intoxicated', told a fellow female officer she was 'really sexy' before groping her breast, the disciplinary panel heard. PC Clinton, who has since resigned from Sussex Police, was barred from serving as an officer again, and told she would have been sacked if she had still been serving. The hearing in Lewes was told Pc Clinton had joined fellow officers at a night out in a pub and was bought several drinks. One colleague, named as Pc B, felt a hand grope his bottom while he was at the bar and initially assumed it was his partner, who was among the group. But when he turned around, he saw Pc Clinton, who told him: 'I bet you're a big boy aren't you?' Later, she wrapped her arms around his waist as he stood at the bar, before sliding her hands down to his crotch. After the group joined another gathering of officers, she groped the breast of a female officer, named as Pc A. Sarah Taylor, counsel for Sussex Police, said: 'Both of those touching incidents amounted to a sexual assault.. 'She was spoken to directly afterwards. There was a discussion about their shock at what had taken place. 'Pc Clinton was very intoxicated at the time. She was collected by her partner later that evening after officers called him and he came to get her. 'She has no recollection of either of the allegations. 'She was appalled and ashamed of herself and that she made anyone feel uncomfortable or upset. She expresses apologies to both of the victims.' The disciplinary panel was told Pc Clinton, who joined the force as a PCSO in 2019 and became a full officer in 2022, was on a diet at the time and the lack of food had contributed to her intoxication. In mitigation, Det Chief Insp Chris Thompson, of Sussex Police Federation, said that since the incident, the former officer had essentially given up alcohol. Peter Gardner, the force's assistant chief constable, said: 'We find should Pc Clinton have been a serving officer, she would have been dismissed without notice and she will be placed on the barred list. Alcohol does not abdicate personal responsibility.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- The Independent
Sam Kerr apologises for ‘expressing myself poorly' after not guilty verdict
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has apologised 'for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening' after being found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment for calling a Metropolitan Police officer 'stupid and white'. The Australia international made the comments to Pc Stephen Lovell during an incident in south-west London in the early hours of January 30 2023. Kerr, 31, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to Twickenham Police Station by a taxi driver who complained that they had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick and that one of them had smashed the vehicle's rear window. At the police station, Kerr became 'abusive and insulting' towards Pc Lovell, calling him 'f****** stupid and white'. A jury returned the not guilty verdict on Tuesday after deliberating for around four hours and 17 minutes at Kingston Crown Court since the previous day. On Tuesday evening, Kerr issued a statement which read: 'Following today's not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me. 'While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed. 'I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day. 'I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.' During the trial, the court heard how Kerr had accepted later calling Pc Lovell 'stupid and white' during a heated exchange but denied that it amounted to the charge. While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed Sam Kerr She said she regretted the way she expressed herself but added: 'I feel the message was still relevant'. She denied using 'whiteness as an insult' and claimed: 'I believed it was him using his power and privilege over me because he was accusing me of being something I'm not… I was trying to express that due to the power and privilege they had, they would never have to understand what we had just gone through and the fear we were having for our lives.' Asked if she was saying Pc Lovell was 'stupid because he was white', Kerr said: 'No'. Kerr and Mewis told the court how they felt 'dismissed' by Pc Lovell after explaining how they had been 'trapped' in the back of a taxi and 'held against our will'. Mewis smashed the taxi's rear window before the pair climbed out of the vehicle, which was parked near Twickenham Police Station. At the station, Kerr, Mewis and Pc Lovell got into an exchange, described in court as a 'heated argument', and Kerr told police 'this is a racial f****** thing'. She told the jury: 'I believed they were treating me differently because of what they perceived to be the colour of my skin – particularly Pc Lovell's behaviour. 'The way he was accusing me of lying, and later arresting me for criminal damage even though Kristie said it was just her (who smashed the taxi's window). At the time, I thought they were trying to put it on me.' The Crown Prosecution Service originally decided not to charge Kerr, the court heard. It can now be reported that Kerr's legal team attempted to get the case thrown out at a preliminary hearing, arguing there had been an abuse of process by crown prosecutors. Speaking during the hearing on January 14, Kerr's lawyer Grace Forbes said the CPS had violated its own guidance, adding that a 'loophole' in the victims' right of review scheme was used to justify prosecution proceedings a year after the alleged offence. During the trial, it was put to Pc Lovell that he only provided a statement alleging that Kerr's comments had caused alarm or harassment after that decision. In his first statement to the CPS, the officer made no mention of the 'stupid and white' comment having an impact on him, the jury was told. Police submitted a request to review the CPS decision not to prosecute, and it responded that the outcome would be limited to an apology, the court heard. Prosecutors later requested further evidence and a second statement from Pc Lovell was provided in December 2023, mentioning the alleged impact. He read a section of the statement to the court, which said the comments made him 'shocked, upset, and (left) me feeling humiliated'. The charge was authorised later in December 2023, nearly a year after the incident. Forbes said to Pc Lovell during cross-examination: 'You were determined to pursue this person, weren't you?' Pc Lovell said 'yes' and Forbes asked, 'through the criminal courts?' The officer replied 'yes' again.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Chelsea footballer Sam Kerr cleared of racial harassment
Chelsea footballer Sam Kerr, who called a Metropolitan Police officer "stupid and white" in January 2023, has been found not guilty at Kingston Crown Court of causing racially aggravated harassment. The Australian international made the comments to Pc Stephen Lovell during an incident in south-west London in the early hours of January 30, 2023. Ms Kerr, 31, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to Twickenham Police Station by a taxi driver who complained that they had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick and that one of them had smashed the vehicle's rear window. At the police station, Ms Kerr became 'abusive and insulting' towards Pc Lovell, calling him 'f****** stupid and white'. A jury returned the not guilty verdict on Tuesday after deliberating for around four hours and 17 minutes at Kingston Crown Court since the previous day. Judge Peter Lodder KC said after the verdict: 'I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation. 'I don't go behind the jury's verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.' Ms Kerr showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict but gave a thumbs up to her barrister Grace Forbes after the judge had left. During the trial, the court heard how Ms Kerr had accepted later calling Pc Lovell 'stupid and white' during a heated exchange but denied that it amounted to the charge. She said she regretted the way she expressed herself but added: 'I feel the message was still relevant'. She denied using 'whiteness as an insult' and claimed: 'I believed it was him using his power and privilege over me because he was accusing me of being something I'm not… I was trying to express that due to the power and privilege they had, they would never have to understand what we had just gone through and the fear we were having for our lives.' Asked if she was saying Pc Lovell was 'stupid because he was white', Ms Kerr said: 'No'. Ms Kerr and her partner Ms Mewis told the court how they felt 'dismissed' by Pc Lovell after explaining how they had been 'trapped' in the back of a taxi and 'held against our will'. Ms Mewis smashed the taxi's rear window before the pair climbed out of the vehicle, which was parked near Twickenham Police Station. At the station, Ms Kerr, her partner and Pc Lovell got into an exchange, described in court as a 'heated argument', and Ms Kerr told police 'this is a racial f****** thing'. She told the jury: 'I believed were treating me differently because of what they perceived to be the colour of my skin – particularly Pc Lovell's behaviour. 'The way he was accusing me of lying, and later arresting me for criminal damage even though Kristie said it was just her (who smashed the taxi's window). 'At the time, I thought they were trying to put it on me.' The Crown Prosecution Service originally decided not to charge Ms Kerr, the court heard. It can now be reported that Ms Kerr's legal team attempted to get the case thrown out at a preliminary hearing, arguing there had been an abuse of process by crown prosecutors. Speaking during the hearing on January 14, Ms Kerr's lawyer Grace Forbes said the CPS had violated its own guidance, adding that a 'loophole' in the victims' right of review scheme was used to justify prosecution proceedings a year after the alleged offence. During the trial, it was put to Pc Lovell that he only provided a statement alleging that Ms Kerr's comments had caused alarm or harassment after that decision. In his first statement to the CPS, the officer made no mention of the 'stupid and white' comment having an impact on him, the jury was told. Police submitted a request to review the CPS decision not to prosecute, and it responded that the outcome would be limited to an apology, the court heard. Prosecutors later requested further evidence and a second statement from Pc Lovell was provided in December 2023, mentioning the alleged impact. He read a section of the statement to the court, which said the comments made him 'shocked, upset, and (left) me feeling humiliated'. The charge was authorised later in December 2023, nearly a year after the incident.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Sam Kerr ‘stupid and white' remark as racist as ‘stupid and black'
Prosecutors in the trial of Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, who called a police officer 'stupid and white', have asked the jury if perceptions would be different had she said 'stupid and black'. The Australia international is on trial charged with causing racially aggravated harassment to Pc Stephen Lovell during an incident in south-west London in the early hours of January 30 2023. It is alleged that Kerr, 31, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to Twickenham Police Station by a taxi driver who complained that they had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick, and that one of them smashed the vehicle's rear window. At the police station, Kerr is alleged to have become 'abusive and insulting' towards Pc Lovell, calling him 'f****** stupid and white'. In his closing speech, prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones KC asked the jury: 'What if Pc Lovell had been a black male and what if she had called him f***** stupid and black? 'Now of course that is not a fair question, because black and white is not a fair swap. 'Calling a white man is not as loaded, so you can't just turn it around, it is not as easy as that. 'In the heat of the moment this was an insult delivered in reference to race and that is what the law prohibits. 'The test for you is the same regardless of the ethnicity in question. She was insulting him and, at the time, she was hostile to him by reference to his race. 'So the fact you will be able to think of much worse examples of racial aggravation is irrelevant. 'Would we consider this a racially aggravated insult if she had said stupid and black? Of course you would, it wouldn't even be contestable.' During the trial, the court heard character references from Chelsea teammates and former head coach Emma Hayes. Carly Telford, a goalkeeper who played for Chelsea from 2017 to 2022, described Kerr as a 'close friend' and an 'introverted extrovert'. She said: 'On the pitch you see the skills, the back flips [but] away from pitch, she's quite quiet and shy. Quite reserved.' She described her as 'generous' with her money and said she often considered how she could cover costs for the younger players on nights out 'to make sure they can celebrate with us'. Grace Forbes, defending Kerr, read out statements from Ms Hayes, Chelsea captain Millie Bright and midfielder Erin Cuthbert. Ms Hayes, who is the former Chelsea manager and current head coach of the US football team, said Kerr was an 'exemplary role model' and described her as 'one of the warmest, friendliest, kindest and most considerate players'. She added: 'She is calm and level-headed and mindful. She comes from a wonderful family. She has the biggest heart, she is a big kid at heart, I think she does well to manage everything that is thrown at her and the expectation that is placed on her.' Ms Bright described Kerr as a 'truly special human', while Ms Cuthbert said she was a 'great friend and teammate' who 'has a unique knack of seeing the best in everyone'. The trial continues.
