PC who tried to headbutt suspect and slammed his head into wall handed suspended sentence

A Met officer who tried to headbutt a man he was arresting and slammed his head into a wall has been spared jail.

Pc Gareth Knight, 38, was detaining a man in Brixton on January 30 who was suspected of possessing drugs.

During the arrest, he tried to headbutt the man before slamming his head “forcibly” into a wall.

His colleagues reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police force, sparking criminal proceedings.

Knight, who works in Lambeth, was found guilty of causing common assault and actual bodily harm at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.

On Friday he was handed a three-month suspended sentence, 150 hours community service and was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the victim as well as £500 in court costs.

He has been suspended from duty following the conviction and a misconduct review is due to be held.

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 wrong doing from those people who work alongside."