PC denies assault on boy, 15
9:10am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News
A POLICE officer assaulted a teenage boy who refused to empty his pockets, a court has been told.
Stephen Hudson, aged 43, yesterday denied a charge of misconduct in a public office.
Bolton Crown Court heard the 15-year-old boy claimed he was assaulted by PC Hudson, of Gilliburns Walk in Westhoughton , in Greater Manchester Police ’s Swinton custody suite on Saturday, March 5, last year.
The boy’s feet were lifted off the floor when Hudson held him against a wooden counter in a bid to persuade him to empty his pockets, the court heard.
Iain Simkin, prosecuting, said: “Hudson used far too much force against a boy who was being cheeky. Other officers were laughing at this but the man reacted by using far more force than proportional or reasonable.”
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been arrested at his home for breaching bail.
Bolton Crown Court heard he had been arrested and taken to the custody suite numerous times.
During a police interview Hudson read a prepared statement, claiming he acted in accordance with police training .
Experts in police methodology will give evidence for both the prosecution and the defence.
They will disagree on whether his actions were reasonable.
CCTV footage inside the custody suite played to the jury showed Hudson taking the boy’s hands behind his back and holding him against the counter.
The boy is heard screaming.
During a police interview about the assault, the boy said: “As he pulled my arms up they came up the furthest they go up my back. He was lifting me off the floor. It was about 25 inches off the floor. My waist was over the desk, my feet were dangling.”
The boy, who is now aged 16, who gave evidence through a video link, agreed when defence barrister Michael Hayton said all Hudson was trying to do was get him to empty his pockets.
The case continues.
