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Greater Manchester Police sergeant guilty of 'inhumane' custody assault | Greater Manchester Police sergeant guilty of 'inhumane' custody assault |
(3 days later) | |
A police custody sergeant has been found guilty of an "inhumane" assault on a man who was screaming in pain. | A police custody sergeant has been found guilty of an "inhumane" assault on a man who was screaming in pain. |
Greater Manchester Sgt Richard Miller, 45, dragged the 32-year-old 33m (108ft) by his handcuffs at Chadderton police station last July. | |
He had denied common assault in a trial at Manchester Magistrates' Court, but was fined £500. | He had denied common assault in a trial at Manchester Magistrates' Court, but was fined £500. |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said he had "abused his position of authority". | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said he had "abused his position of authority". |
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the verdict meant there were now "internal misconduct matters" to be addressed. | A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the verdict meant there were now "internal misconduct matters" to be addressed. |
He said the force respected the court's decision and "will be in liaison with the IPCC" over Miller's future career. | He said the force respected the court's decision and "will be in liaison with the IPCC" over Miller's future career. |
Malcolm McHaffie of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the man in custody had sustained a fracture to his left arm prior to the assault, which Miller did not know about. | Malcolm McHaffie of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the man in custody had sustained a fracture to his left arm prior to the assault, which Miller did not know about. |
The man had earlier been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer at an Oldham takeaway. | The man had earlier been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer at an Oldham takeaway. |
'Excessive and unlawful' | 'Excessive and unlawful' |
Mr McHaffie said despite no-one knowing about his injury, the man had "protested that he was in in pain, required medical attention and [said] that he could not get out of the police van". | Mr McHaffie said despite no-one knowing about his injury, the man had "protested that he was in in pain, required medical attention and [said] that he could not get out of the police van". |
"Despite this, Sgt Miller dragged the detained man by his handcuffs across the floor into the police station and to a cell. | "Despite this, Sgt Miller dragged the detained man by his handcuffs across the floor into the police station and to a cell. |
"Although his position as a custody sergeant undoubtedly requires Sgt Miller, on occasion, to use a degree of force, he is also expected to look after the welfare of detained persons. | "Although his position as a custody sergeant undoubtedly requires Sgt Miller, on occasion, to use a degree of force, he is also expected to look after the welfare of detained persons. |
"The court has found that his handling of the victim was both excessive and unlawful and Sgt Miller now faces the consequences of his actions." | "The court has found that his handling of the victim was both excessive and unlawful and Sgt Miller now faces the consequences of his actions." |
Miller was also ordered to pay £775 in costs and £250 in compensation. | Miller was also ordered to pay £775 in costs and £250 in compensation. |
'Truly shocking' | 'Truly shocking' |
The case was referred to the CPS by the IPCC following an investigation. | The case was referred to the CPS by the IPCC following an investigation. |
IPCC commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said CCTV footage was "truly shocking". | IPCC commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said CCTV footage was "truly shocking". |
"Using handcuffs to drag a detainee through a custody suite is wholly inappropriate - to do it to someone who is injured and screaming out in pain is inhumane. | "Using handcuffs to drag a detainee through a custody suite is wholly inappropriate - to do it to someone who is injured and screaming out in pain is inhumane. |
"Sgt Miller tried to defend his actions by saying he was dealing with an 'unwilling and non-compliant' detainee [but] that is no defence. | "Sgt Miller tried to defend his actions by saying he was dealing with an 'unwilling and non-compliant' detainee [but] that is no defence. |
"He acted unprofessionally and abused his position of authority." | "He acted unprofessionally and abused his position of authority." |
A spokesman for the IPCC said the investigation had also identified that "a police constable and two custody detention officers witnessed Sgt Miller's actions but failed to challenge him". | A spokesman for the IPCC said the investigation had also identified that "a police constable and two custody detention officers witnessed Sgt Miller's actions but failed to challenge him". |
"As a result, the IPCC found the three had a case to answer for misconduct," he said. | "As a result, the IPCC found the three had a case to answer for misconduct," he said. |
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