WIREDGOV

A Greater Manchester Police Special Constable has been found guilty of Section 47 assault and perjury following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Special Constable Peter Lightfoot, who was based in Wigan, faced the charges following an Independent Police Complaints Commission managed investigation into an incident in Wigan on 27 July 2008.  

Two other officers, Sgt Stephen Russell and Pc Richard Kelsall, were found not guilty of Section 47 assault and perverting the course of justice in relation to the same incident.

All the charges related to an allegation that excessive force was used during the arrest of 24-year-old Bolton man Mark Aspinall in Wigan Town Centre in the early hours of Sunday 27 July. The IPCC managed the Greater Manchester Police investigation into the incident.

The incident, which was captured on CCTV, resulted in Mr Aspinall being convicted of public order offences and assault on police officers. These charges were quashed on appeal with the judge citing concerns about the actions of the officers. The IPCC managed an investigation by Greater manchester Police's Professional Standards department into the incident.

The investigation resulted in a file being passed to the Crown Prosecution Service and charges being brought. SC Lightfoot was found guilty in relation to part of the incident in which he could be seen on the CCTV pushing Mr Aspinall's head into the ground and striking him with a police helmet.

SC Lightfoot was found guilty of a separate charge of perjury in relation to evidence he gave at Mr Aspinall's appeal hearing in November 2008. He will be sentenced in relation to both offences on 1 September.

IPCC Commissioner Ms Naseem Malik said: It is clear from the evidence that Mr Aspinall was drunk, aggressive and causing a nuisance. He was exhibiting the kind of behaviour that police officers have the unfortunate duty to deal with on a regular basis. That is why officers are trained to deal with such individuals in a professional manner. However in this incident Special Constable Lightfoot's training would appear to have been replaced by a red mist. His actions were violent, excessive and unjustified.

I am grateful to Greater Manchester Police and our investigators for the thorough and professional work they have done in examining this matter. I have noted the jury’s decision in relation to the other officers and we respect that. The IPCC and Greater Manchester Police must still consider whether it is appropriate for any of the officers to be subject to misconduct action.”

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Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North Region) Tel 0161 246 8582