WIREDGOV

A South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officer has been cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 7 August) following our investigation.

Police Constable (PC) Liam Stewart was investigated following an incident that took place on 8 August 2017 in Sheffield which resulted in 18 year-old Louis McAndrew being treated at hospital for facial injuries. CCTV footage showed that PC Stewart came into contact with Mr McAndrew prior to his arrest before the Sheffield Wednesday versus Chesterfield League Cup fixture that evening.

We completed our investigation in February 2018 and referred our findings and a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). We also shared our investigation report with SYP, who agreed that PC Stewart has a case to answer for gross misconduct. A date for a misconduct hearing is yet to be confirmed.

This matter came to light after we received a complaint about the officer. We have a legal obligation to investigate incidents such as this to ensure police officers have acted reasonably and proportionately, and in line with their training.

We have a responsibility to refer any case to the CPS where there is an indication that a criminal offence may have been committed.  The CPS then make the decision whether to charge an officer, in the same way they would do so if presented with a case by the police.