A policeman accused of assaulting a young motorist

A policeman accused of assaulting a young motorist
faces a retrial after a jury’s deliberations ended in deadlock.

And PC Christopher Lane’s colleague, WPC Elizabeth
Lumber also faces a new hearing after the jury could not decide
on allegations that she had lied in her record of the incident.

The prosecution claimed grey haired Lane, 29, smashed
postal clerk Mr Geoffrey Hurst into a wall after the motorist
asked Lane to move a police van.

Lane then flung Mr Hurst against his own car, put him in
painful arm lock and dumped him in the back of a police van, it
was alleged.

But Lane told the court that Mr Hurst, of Tavy Green,
Thamesmead became abusive and had tried to punch him.

He claimed he was merely restraining him in accordance
with his duty.

Lumber told the jury she had written down exactly what
had happened in her record – an account which tallied with
Lane’s.

Lane denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm
on October 10 1991 and both defendants, of Paddington Green
police station denied conspiring to pevert the course of
justice.

No date was fixed for the retrial.

ENDS