End of career for cop who put the boot into suspect

A police officer who was filmed kicking and punching a suspect has been given a suspended sentence.

PC Thomas Karlsen, 22, admitted assaulting the man during a call out to a domestic dispute in New Malden, south London, last November.

Karlsen tried to detain the victim, then punched and kicked him, while using his pepper spray.

He arrested the man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and resisting arrest.

The man was transferred to hospital with swelling to the face and a split lip, and later taken into police custody.

But he was released with no further action being taken after a review of body worn video.

Karlsen, attached to the South West Command Unit, was then eferred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who requested a local investigation.

He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Southwark Crown Court and was sentenced to four months custodial suspended for 12 months.

Karlsen was also ordered to perform 80 hours unpaid work with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and he must pay £400 compensation to the victim.

He resigned from the force in July but a misconduct panel then found he would have been dismissed without notice if still serving.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of South West Command Unit, said: ‘Former PC Karlsen’s actions that day were shocking, and completely disproportionate to the situation he faced. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the victim.

‘It is clear from the body worn video that this would have been a very traumatic experience which will have had a long lasting impact. Officers from our Directorate of Professional Standards continue to offer him every support.

‘We have been explicit about the high standards we expect from officers and know that we must aintain these in order to increase the trust that our communities have in us. The powers afforded to us must be used fairly and professionally, and it is clear that this was absolutely not the case on this occasion.’