PC's conviction for assault in connection with bus ticket arrest overturned

The conviction of a Metropolitan Police officer who was fined for assault after wrongfully arresting a woman for bus fare evasion in Croydon, south London, has been quashed.

PC Perry Lathwood's appeal was upheld at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.

The officer was found guilty of assault on 17 May following a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The conviction relates to an incident in June 2023 in which a woman travelling by bus was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion.

A video of the incident was shared online and attracted widespread public interest.

PC Lathwood, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, remains on restricted duties pending the outcome of a police misconduct investigation.

Louisa Rolfe, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said she acknowledged that the incident had “divided opinion”.

“The impact it has had, particularly on the black communities in Croydon and beyond, has been significant,” she said.

“However, PC Lathwood has since been acquitted by the criminal courts and this decision must be respected.”

She added: “We accept that this incident was not handled perfectly and that we can learn valuable lessons from it.”

“However, we believe this may have been done through mechanisms for resolving police misconduct rather than through the courts.”

She said police would “continue to push for a system of police accountability that officers can have confidence in.”

On the one hand, she said, her “very demanding role” and the need to make “quick decisions under pressure” are recognized.

During the trial, Westminster Magistrates' Court found that PC Lathwood had “abused” Jocelyn Agyemang and called her a “stupid cow”.

Ms Agyemang told the court that she felt “very hurt” during the arrest and had pain in her wrist and a bruised shoulder.

The court heard that after she and her son got off the bus at around 11am BST on 21 July 2023, she was asked by a bus inspector to show proof that she had paid her fare.

When she failed to hand over her Oyster card, PC Lathwood was “involved”, the court heard.

The prosecution told the court that PC Lathwood touched Ms Agyemang, grabbed her arm and arrested her for fare evasion as she walked away.

A crowd gathered and people filmed the police officer and asked him why he had arrested them.

The court heard that PC Lathwood handcuffed Ms Agyemang and another officer took the Oyster card from her hand to check if she had paid.

She was released at the scene after police confirmed that Ms Agyemang had paid the fare.

Ms Agyemang told the court she felt “a little humiliated” by the incident, adding it was “very frightening” when PC Lathwood grabbed her.

When asked why she left, Ms Agyemang said: “At that time, all I could think about was getting to my mother’s house.”

She was also asked why she “resisted” when the police stopped her.

“Honestly, I don’t see this as resistance,” she said.

In passing sentence, Deputy Chief District Judge Tan Ikram said PC Lathwood had “crossed the line and done something wrong”, but added that it was not an “abuse of power” but rather a “mistake”.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on on facebook., X And InstagramSend your story ideas to [email protected]