A Metropolitan Police officer has been given a three-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay £1,000 at Southwark Crown Court for attempting to headbutt an Irish barman.
PC Gareth Knight, 38, attached to Lambeth Borough, was found guilty of causing common assault and actual bodily harm at the same court on Wednesday, February 1 before being sentenced two days later.
On January 30, 2016, PC Knight arrested Irishman William Kelly, who has Bell's Palsy, on suspicion of possession of drugs in Brixton.
Mr Kelly, whose condition causes weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face, had finished working in a bar when he was stopped by Knight.
During the course of the arrest and search, PC Knight attempted to headbutt Mr Kelly and pushed his head forcibly into a wall.
He told Knight he should thank Mr Kelly for getting his head out the way as the headbutt 'could have been horrendous'.
"With no provocation at all you threw that headbutt, started the process of punching his arms, dragging him to the floor, pulling him back up repeatedly, pushing his head towards that wall until you eventually injured him.
"Mr Kelly was shouting, 'you thug' and members of the public were so concerned about what you were doing and you just shoved them out of the way.
"Nobody watching that scene would say how proud they were in their police force."
Judge Muller continued: "You have brought shame on yourself, shame on your fellow officers and shame on the job."
Mr Kelly said he was so surprised by Knight's demeanour that at first he thought he was being assaulted rather than arrested as members of the public looked on.
Kelly, who thought he had fractured his skull, told the court he did not know if he was dealing with an "undercover officer or a nutter".
"It was a very intense and terrifying look in his eyes – the whole thing didn't add up to me.
"I was in two minds about it. I did think am I just sleepwalking into being assaulted?"
Mr Kelly said he was anxious because he knew resisting arrest was a much more serious offence than possession of cannabis, but Knight at first refused to show him any ID.
Following the arrival of a fellow officer, Knight produced his ID, held it close to Mr Kelly's face and said, "there's my f*****g ID".
Following the incident, the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards received an internal report of wrongdoing from Knight's supervisors about his actions that night.
Knight was summonsed and placed on restricted duties.
In addition to the suspended sentence, PC Knight was told to pay £500 in compensation to the victim, £500 in court costs and given 150 hours unpaid community work.
He was suspended from duty following conviction and a misconduct review will take place now that criminal proceedings have concluded.
Detective Chief Superintendant Matt Gardner, in charge of the Directorate of Professional Standards, said: "It is the responsibility of all police officers to conduct themselves in a manner that meets the high standards of what the public and the organisation expect of them.
"The actions of PC Knight lets down all his colleagues, who work hard day and night to protect Londoners and catch criminals.
"PC Knight's supervisors spoke out – officers do not tolerate wrongdoing from those people who work alongside."
Mr Kelly, who was arrested by Knight, was cautioned later that same day for possession of drugs.
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