Metropolitan Police Service officer acquitted of common assault

24 Sep 2019 01:53 PM

A serving Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been acquitted of common assault following a one-day trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

 PC Ryan Hainesborough, appeared at court on Friday 20 September charged in connection with an incident in east London on 6 December 2018, and was found not guilty.

 PC Hainesborough, who is based at Bethnal Green Police Station, was on duty and responded with colleagues to reports of a man acting erratically. PC Hainesborough was head-butted by the man during the incident that unfolded. Moments later, after the 43 year-old man had been restrained, PC Hainesborough was alleged to have punched him twice in the head.  

The MPS referred the matter and we began an independent investigation which concluded in May 2019. We shared a copy of our report with the MPS, who agreed with our findings. PC Hainesborough has a case to answer for gross misconduct for allegedly breaching the standards of professional behaviour regarding use of force. A date for a misconduct hearing is yet to be confirmed.