Kent Police officer charged with assault following IPCC investigation

27 Sep 2017 01:25 PM

A Kent Police sergeant will appear at Margate Magistrates’ Court on 7 November to face a charge of assault by beating following an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation.

PS Paul Coughlan, who was based at Canterbury Police station, is alleged to have used disproportionate force in striking a man who was being held in police custody in a cell.

Following the man’s detention on 29 March this year, he made a complaint about the officer’s actions which was referred to the IPCC.

The IPCC completed its investigation in July 2017 and referred its conclusions to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised the charge this month (September 2017).