West Mercia Police officer sentenced for assault on teenager

2 Nov 2018 01:17 PM

A West Mercia police officer has received a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a 17 year-old boy during an incident in Rugby last year.

PC Laura Lawson admitted the assault at a hearing at Worcester Crown Court this week and was sentenced on Tuesday (30 October) to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year. She was also given a three-month curfew order and costs were awarded against her.  

The outcome follows an investigation by the IOPC into the incident in Avocet Close, Rugby on 16 April last year. Police officers had been called to a disturbance involving a number of young people, and while detaining the 17 year-old boy PC Lawson was seen to kick him twice to his head while he was on the ground.

The matter was referred to us following a complaint from the boy that the officer had used excessive force against him and two other teenagers. We referred our investigation report to the Crown Prosecution Service in autumn last year who authorised charges against the officer.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: “During the incident in Rugby last year the actions of PC Lawson in our view strayed well beyond force that was proportionate and reasonable. As a result of a complaint made by the young man this matter has now resulted in her conviction for assault. In addition to our referral to the CPS which led to the criminal case, we also found the officer has a case to answer for gross misconduct.”

PC Lawson resigned from the force following the court proceedings.

The police force will now determine whether the officer, who was based at Rugby police station, should face misconduct proceedings for the alleged excessive use of force against the 17 year-old and two others during the incident.

Two other alleged assaults by the officer against other individuals arising from the same incident were ordered to lie on file by the judge at Worcester Crown Court.