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Lee Prince, a police officer found guilty of assaulting a 17-year-old homeless boy with learning difficulties, has lost his appeal to have his conviction overturned. The incident occurred on 17 April 2023, when Prince, who was on-duty as a firearms officer, hit and mocked the teenager outside a shop in Swindon, Wiltshire. He was sentenced to 16 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work. Prince must also pay £775 in trial costs, £500 in compensation, and a £154 victim surcharge.
During the trial, it was established that while detaining the boy on suspicion of criminal damage, Prince used “force to the face”. The judge noted the boy’s vulnerability due to age and learning difficulties. Prince was also verbally abusive, calling the boy a “cretin”. He is currently suspended from his duties and will face an internal gross misconduct investigation.
Wiltshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable, Mark Cooper, stated that the public expects the highest standards of behaviour from police officers and that where these standards are not met, accountability must be enforced. Cooper states that the public trusts Wiltshire Police and expects the highest of standards from officers within the organisation. It is essential that the organisation reflects this trust.
Prince’s appeal refused highlights Wiltshire Police’s commitment to uphold high standards of conduct. It is essential to investigate such incidents to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable for their actions, as emphasis on trust and transparency is critical in developing and maintaining good relationships with the public
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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