Acceptable Police racism

A Metropolitan Police officer accused of striking a woman with a metal baton at a G20 protest has been cleared.

Sgt Delroy Smellie denied common assault on Nicola Fisher, 36, of Brighton, during the protest in Exchange Square, London, in April 2009.

The officer told City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court he feared objects in her hand were weapons.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said Sgt Smellie could still face police disciplinary action.

Prosecution ‘failed’

District Judge Daphne Wickham found no evidence had been provided to show use of the baton was not measured or correct.

She said: “It was for the prosecution to prove this defendant was not acting in lawful self-defence.

“The prosecution has failed in this respect and the defendant has raised the issue of lawful self-defence and as such is entitled to be acquitted.”

BBC report