A police officer accused of covering up for a coll
A police officer accused of covering up for a colleague who allegedly attacked a drinker today insisted: ‘I am telling the truth.
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PC John Innes, 32, is said to have watched PC Mathew Dunn, 34, kick their prisoner in the head with steel-capped boots.
It is claimed that, with their four colleagues, they then went back to the station to put a different ‘spin’ on the incident, it is claimed.
The officers say alleged victim Jason Hughes had cut his head in the struggle to bundle him into the back of the police van.
The jury has seen CCTV footage of Dunn kicking Mr Hughes, but the officer has claimed he was swiping the suspects legs away from him to calm him down.
The officers allegedly delayed writing their report until Dunn had watched the tape to see how much of the incident had been caught on film.
Innes explained why he was sitting in the custody area of Wimbledon Police Station in south west London instead of preparing his notes.
He told Southwark Crown Court: ‘I was making sure Mr Hughes did not become violent again.
‘I was assuring other officers’ safety and my own safety just in case he became violent again.
‘He showed violence in the street and quite often prisoners become violent again in custody.
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He insisted: ‘I am not concealing the truth of what happened that night.
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The court has heard claims Mr Hughes had earlier shoved PC Simon Anear in the chest after they arrested his drunken fiancee, Ann Connolly.
The pair had been to a Morden pub to celebrate Ms Connolly’s new job.
But after they were thrown out, police were called and Mr Hughes was arrested for threatening words and behaviour.
When Mr Hughes arrived at Wimbledon Police Station other officers noticed he had a cut head and he was taken to hospital.
A year after the incident in September 2000, Innes was suspended from his job.
Sgt Roger Smith, who worked with Innes at Wimbledon’s Criminal Justice Unit, told the court of his colleague’s professional approach to policing.
He said: ‘He was always very calm.
‘We had some quite awkward telephone calls and he was always very polite, calm and professional in his manner.
‘I have never seen him lose his temper.
‘He appeared to cope with these allegations very well and he never went sick with depression.
‘I was always very impressed by his attitude at the time.
‘His work was excellent and we miss him sorely.
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Dunn of Lansdowne Road, Purley, Surrey, denies assaulting Hughes on September 15, 2000, causing actual bodily harm, an alternative charge of battery, and perverting the course of justice.
Anear of Shrubland Road, Banstead, Surrey, Innes of Beckford Way, Maidenbourne, Crawley, west Sussex, Paul Longhurst, of Morland Road, Croydon, Surrey, Ross Bottomley, 30, of Dene Close, Ovingham, Northumberland, and 33-year-old Anita Malone, of Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey, all deny perverting the course of justice on September 16, 2000.
The trial continues.
ends
