Nottinghamshire police officer weeps as he's cleared of strangling 16-year-old girl in car

A Nottinghamshire Police officer accused of strangling a teenage girl in the back of a car has been found not guilty by a jury. PC Kevin Markowski, 47, had denied a single charge of intentionally strangling the 16-year-old.

The officer told jurors he only placed his hand on top of the girl's upper chest or breast bone and never intended to restrict her air supply. Jurors at Lincoln Crown Court took just under six hours to find PC Markowski not guilty of the offence after a six day trial.

PC Markowski was visibly upset as the jury returned their not guilty verdict and addressed them directly, saying: "Thank you ladies and gentleman." The trial judge, Judge James House KC, told PC Markowski he was free to leave the dock.

"You have been acquitted by the jury. I formally discharge you. You are free to go," Judge House told the officer.

The alleged incident happened in Front Street, Arnold, on 24 August 2022. Giving evidence, PC Markowski confirmed he was on a "proactive" mobile patrol with a probationary officer when he became aware of the teenager swearing aggressively in the street.

The officers were patrolling in the area after receiving intelligence that groups of young people were involved in anti-social behaviour, low level drug dealing and carrying knives, jurors heard. Prosecutors claimed PC Markowski placed a hand on the teenager's neck on two occasions in quick succession after she was arrested for breaching the peace and put inside the police car.

The teenager, who had no previous dealings with the officer, claimed she was strangled for three to five seconds. But PC Markowski denied any intention to strangle the teenager or cut her air supply.

The officer said he placed his hand on top of the teenager's upper chest or breast bone after she continued to resist and he feared being assaulted. Jurors heard much of the incident was caught on a body camera being worn by PC Markowski's colleague.

The prosecution alleged the teenager complained of being unable to breathe during the first application of a hand to her neck. During the second incident it was alleged the teenager complained of being choked.

PC Markowski said: "I heard that and immediately took my hand away. I honestly believed at that time I wasn't choking her or hurting her."

When asked in the witness box if he had strangled the teenager PC Markowski insisted: "It is not in my nature."

The court also heard evidence from the police officer who was on duty with PC Markowski. That officer confirmed he did not see PC Markowski with his hand around the teenager's throat or raise any concerns about the incident with senior staff.

Jurors heard the alleged victim received a youth caution on 18 November 2021 for two offences of affray and assaulting an emergency worker. That incident took place in Market Street, Nottingham, on 22 May 2021, when the teenager hit the side of a police van, hit a police officer to the side of her head and then kicked out causing the officer's legs to buckle.

Following the incident involving PC Markowski the teenager was taken to her mother's address, jurors were told. Her mother noticed red marks around her upper chest and neck, jurors heard.

Neck restraints are not prohibited by the Force's safety manual but are discouraged due to the inherent risks and have to be justified, the court was told. Jurors heard PC Markowski had spent 15 years working as a frontline police constable in Nottingham after previously being employed as a Police Community Support Officer. (PCSO)

His career involved training a number of probationary police officers and being a response, pursuit, drugs testing and taser trained officer. The court heard PC Markowski had also been nominated for three commendations during his policing career.

These included incidents where he helped to save a man who was trying to throw himself off a River Trent flyover, pursuing a car suspected of involvement in a St Anne's shootout on his bike and going to the aid of a man who was threatening to set himself on fire. For the final incident PC Markowski received a full commendation.

When questioned by prosecution barrister Rosemary Kavanagh, the officer insisted he was arresting the teenager for a breach of the peace and had warned her that she was liable to be arrested. PC Markowski said the teenager was kicking out after he placed her in the car and he feared being bitten or spat at.

Footage taken before the teenager was placed in the car showed the officer warning her: "Don't strike me or you're getting arrested."