Thug admits kicking police officer into path of oncoming bus

A thug today admitted Kung-fu kicking a police officer into the path of a bus as she assisted with an arrest.

Kersan Euell, 20, admitted two counts of ABH including the kick to PC Lorraine McGinty which was caught on camera and went viral on social media.

Another officer, PC John Collins, was also assaulted during the incident in Wimbledon.

Martin Payne, 19, from New Malden, who stood in court with a bandaged wrist, also pleaded guilty to one charge of ABH at Kingston Crown Court today.

He also also admitted driving without a valid licence or insurance.

Euell, from Catford, south East London, stood impassively In the dock during the hearing.

Both men admitted ABH after the clash with police in Wimbledon on November 17 which was captured by footage from a passing motorist.

Prosecutor Stephen Apted told the court today that PC McGinty had suffered an injury to the back of her head. PC Collins suffered a finger injury, cuts and bruises and a fractured rib.

Pc McGinty, who was kicked by Euell, is yet to return to duty after being assaulted, the court heard.

The prosecutor said: “This incident took place shortly before 8pm, PCs McGinty and Collins pulled over a BMW in a routine check in which Mr Payne was the driver and Mr Euell one of the passengers.”

He said in the course of the stop the men resisted and the PCs sustained their injuries.

He added: “PC McGinty suffered a wound to the back of the head and PC Collins cuts and grades an injury to his finger and a fractured rib.”

The court heard that Euell has two previous convictions for assaulting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

Payne also has a previous conviction for assault with intent to resist arrest.

Judge Sarah Plaschkes said: “I am adjourning this for pre sentence reports.”

The pair were remanded in custody.

In footage captured by a passing motorist, expected to be played at the the sentencing hearing, two men are seen grappling with officers after attempting to flee when their car was pulled over in a routine stop at 7.55pm in Kingswood Road.

One policeman was dragged from his car and thrown in to the road but kept hold of the suspect’s leg, preventing his escape. His female colleague directed pepper spray at the suspects in an attempt to subdue them.

As the situation appeared to come under control, an accomplice in a grey tracksuit took a running jump and landed a high kick to the policewoman’s chest.

She fell backwards, causing a passing bus to brake and swerve, missing her by inches.

The policewoman lay in the middle of the junction as the scuffle continued, before a moped rider stepped in to tackle the first suspect, pinning him to the ground in a headlock.

The suspect who kicked the officer then fled the scene.Since the footage was posted on Twitter under the caption: “South London at night... Lol”, it has been viewed more than will over 100,000 times.

Twitter users hailed the police officer’s bravery but condemned bystanders for not stepping in to help, and others for mocking the incident on social media. Paramedic Ben Hooper said: “I’m disgusted by the replies, why is this funny?”

Commenting on the footage, retired Met officer Chris Hobbs told the Standard: “This is what happens when policing is cut and officers are constantly subject to denigration by politicians, sections of the media and so-called activists.”

Both men were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 21st January at Kingston Crown Court.