A young motorist was violently assaulted by an ‘ar

A young motorist was violently assaulted by an ‘arrogant’
policeman after asking the officer to move his van, a court heard.

Postal clerk Geoffrey Hurst was smashed into a concrete wall,
flung against his own car, thrown into a painful arm lock and dumped
into the back of the police van.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Mr Hurst, of Tavy Green,
Thamesmead found a narrow London street blocked by the parked vehicle,
and after waiting 12 minutes, got out to ask the officer to pull
forward.

It was alleged in a ‘cynical abuse’ of his powers, PC
Christopher Lane lost his temper, assaulted the motorist and then
conspired with a colleague to cover up what had taken place.

Mr Peter Cooper, prosecuting, said Mr Hurst was driving home
when he found a Soho junction blocked by the police van, parked
across the road as other officers had stopped to investigate an
incident.

He said the victim was ignored when he beeped his horn and
after waiting 12 minutes approached Lane, who serves with Number
Eight Tactical Support Group, stationed at Paddington Green.

Mr Cooper said 29-year-old Lane was ‘dismissive and arrogant.

‘
He added: ‘This case, the Crown say, is founded on the arrogance
that Lane displayed because of the uniform he wore.

‘
The officer allegedly told Mr Hurst ‘he would just have to
wait’ but when the exchange of words became heated, the motorist
was assaulted – and with the words ‘you’re nicked’ found himself
under arrest.

At West End Police Station Mr Hurst was charged with disorderly
behaviour but immediately complained about PC Lane’s behaviour.

Mr Cooper added: ‘This was a cynical abuse of power by Lane
following a loss of temper.

‘
But he said ‘happily’ the whole incident was watched by Mr
Reginald Moule, a 55-year-old chauffeur, who left his name and
address on Mr Hurst’s windscreen and was contacted by the victim.

The court heard Mr Moule would say he ‘witnessed the violent
and completely unreasonable actions’ of Lane.

Mr Cooper said Lane’s colleague WPC Elizabeth Lumber, 30,
also saw what happened and knew there was no justification for
what the officer had done.

But counsel said: ‘At any time she could have said so but
out of a misplaced loyalty decided to support the dishonest account
of events Lane brought into being.

‘
Mr Cooper said realising his unlawful over-reaction was
inexcusable, both officers fabricated notes to claim Mr Hurst
‘swore repeatedly, shouted and had pushed Lane, and struggled
after arrest.

‘
Counsel told the jury: ‘If this was true, you had two
officers behaving with an almost saintly restraint in the face
of aggresive, abusive, and ultimately violent behaviour.

‘However, if you believe the accounts of Mr Hurst and
Mr Moule, then this is a pack of lies – a pack of lies designed
to ward off the consequences of Lane’s unlawful behaviour.

‘
Giving evidence Mr Hurst described what happened minutes
after he left work on October 8, 1991.

‘I got in my car and noticed a police van just stopped in
the middle of street.

‘
‘It was blocking the road, and I couldn’t get pass.

‘
‘I put my hand on the horn twice and pointed to the driver,
who had just got out, to move it.

‘
‘But he ignored me and just strolled up the street.

‘
‘So I sat in my car for approximately 12 minutes and went
over to the van.

‘
He told jurors he spoke to Pc Lane who was sitting with his
colleague, Lumber, 30 in the van.

‘I asked politely how long the driver was going to be, and
if he could move it.

‘
‘He (Pc Lane), said the driver would be as long as it
took.

‘
‘He told me he was not allowed to drive the van, so then I
asked him if he could take the handbrake off and roll it.

‘
‘I was more confused than anything, there was no reason for
the van to block the road.

‘
‘Suddenly the side door opened and the policeman, Lane,
got out.

‘
‘He grabbed me by my arms and pushed me violently against a
concrete pillar.

‘
‘My head smashed against it, I heard it crack.

‘
‘The pillar was next to a shop window, and I could have been
thrown through it,’ continued Mr Hurst.

Adding: ‘I was then pushed onto my car with one hand forced
behind my back.

‘
‘As he did this he (the officer) told me: ”Your nicked.

”
The court heard Mr Hurst, who works at Marshall Cavendish
publishers, was taken to West End central police station where he
was charged with disorderly conduct.

At the station, he made an official complaint about the way
he had been treated by Lane.

He denied he had been abusive or aggressive to the
policeman.

In the dock Lane denies assault occasioning actual bodily
harm on October 10 1991.

Both Lane and Lumber plead not guilty to conspiring to
pervert the course of public justice.

The trial continues.

ends

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8901211U 1MAR93 17:30 GMT
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