On 27 February 2010, Onyeka Obi was stopped by PC Marcus Ballard, 29 as he was on his way home from a birthday celebration. As Onyeka attempted to take a bus home PC Ballard and his Territorial Support Group (TSG) colleague departed from their vehicle and approached the 16 year old boy and his friend with the intent to stop and search them.
CCTV evidence showed Onyeka with his hands in his pockets and not acting in a threatening manner as PC Ballard approached him.
It was whilst detained and in the custody of PC Ballard that the officer decided to use force to hold Onyeka against his will despite the teenage boy posing no threat to the officer. It was then that PC Ballard maliciously smashed his head against a shop window with excessive force.
A witness is reported as describing Onyeka as being lifted off his feet by the force and being flung backwards towards the window.
PC Ballard who denied using "excessive force" was cleared of this offence despite CCTV evidence, he was instead found guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court of common assault and sentenced to 150 hours' community service and told to pay £500 costs and £500 compensation.
Despite the severity of his crime he was let off the maximum sentence for common assault which is six months in prison.
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Pc used reasonable force as boy went into shop window16-year-old with his hands in his pockets was smashed through shop window by police officerMPS officer found guilty of common assault
CCTV evidence showed Onyeka with his hands in his pockets and not acting in a threatening manner as PC Ballard approached him.
It was whilst detained and in the custody of PC Ballard that the officer decided to use force to hold Onyeka against his will despite the teenage boy posing no threat to the officer. It was then that PC Ballard maliciously smashed his head against a shop window with excessive force.
A witness is reported as describing Onyeka as being lifted off his feet by the force and being flung backwards towards the window.
Teenager Onyeka Obi lies on the floor after PC Ballard slams him through the shop window on Bromley High Street
Injustice: Officer escapes jail
PC Ballard who denied using "excessive force" was cleared of this offence despite CCTV evidence, he was instead found guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court of common assault and sentenced to 150 hours' community service and told to pay £500 costs and £500 compensation. Despite the severity of his crime he was let off the maximum sentence for common assault which is six months in prison.
External Links
Pc used reasonable force as boy went into shop window16-year-old with his hands in his pockets was smashed through shop window by police officerMPS officer found guilty of common assault
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A magistrate believed that PC Marcus Ballard, 29 used ‘reasonable’ force during his assault of a teenage boy. He was only found guilty of common assault. Should he have gone to jail?Click here to speak out or read (1) comments about this article
It was whilst detained and in custody, PC Ballard maliciously smashed the head of the teenage boy against a shop window with excessive force. The boy with his hands in his pockets had posed absolutely no threat to the officer.
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