5 December 2011

Cell-shove police sergeant Mark Andrews to get back pay

A police officer who was sacked then reinstated after being jailed for throwing a woman on to a cell floor will be given back pay.

The tribunal ruled that Sgt Andrews should be given back pay

Sgt Mark Andrews was dismissed by Wiltshire Police after being seen on CCTV in July 2008 dragging Pamela Somerville, 60, across the floor.

When Sgt Andrews was sacked he lost £36,000 a year in pay but the police force has been told to reimburse him.

Pamela Somerville brutally attacked by police
(Caption & Pic Courtesy Of One Cick)

Wiltshire Police said it was "disappointed" by the decision.

The force and Wiltshire Police Authority are now considering whether to appeal to the independent Police Appeals Tribunal against his reinstatement and back pay.

Asleep in car

In September 2010 Sgt Andrews was found guilty of causing Ms Somerville actual bodily harm and was jailed for six months.

Sgt Andrews spent six days in prison but was bailed ahead of an appeal at Oxford Crown Court which he later won in November 2010.

His conviction was quashed after the appeal judge felt satisfied that Sgt Andrews did not intend to throw Ms Somerville into the cell.

Ms Somerville was arrested after she was found asleep in her car near her Colerne home and had been detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test.

She denied any wrongdoing and the charges against her were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

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Related Links:
* Thug Cop Freed After Just Six Days
Steven Morris, The Guardian
* Thug In Police Uniform Punched And Kicked Civil Servant, IPCC Refused To Act
Jo MacFarlane, The Mail On Sunday
* Survey Reveals Massive Level Of Complaints Against Police
Matt Dickinson, Press Association, The Independent
* Judge Condemns Two More Anonymous Thugs In Police Uniform Working In Wiltshire
Caroline Gammell, Daily Telegraph
* Police Officer Assaults Woman In Cell Causing Severe Injuries
BBC News
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