A Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of common assault for spraying a junior colleague in the face with his police-issued PAVA spray. PC Adam Sahel, 34, who is attached to the Met’s Taskforce, was convicted following a trial at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.
Incident at Catford police station
The court heard that on August 26, 2023, Sahel confronted a junior colleague in the yard at Catford police station before spraying him in the face with his PAVA spray. PC Sahel asked the victim to lie to supervisors when questioned about the incident, telling him it could damage his career.
The court also heard that Sahel suggested to colleagues the victim’s visibly irritated eyes, caused by the PAVA spray, were the result of him crying or injuring himself. Despite these attempts to prevent the victim from reporting the incident, both the victim and colleagues reported the assault.
Investigation and charges
An investigation was launched and PC Sahel was placed on restricted duties in December 2023. He was charged on February 22, 2024, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was found not guilty of causing ABH but guilty of common assault.
Following his conviction, he will now face an accelerated gross misconduct hearing. He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, September 23.
Met responds
Chief Superintendent Chris Green, who leads the Met’s Taskforce, said: “PC Sahel assaulted one of his own colleagues and then lied to his supervisors about what happened. There is no place in policing for officers who are dishonest and cannot meet the high standards we expect.”
“Across the Met, we are committed to improving standards and bringing to justice those among our own ranks who break the law. In recent years we’ve worked hard to improve the culture within the Taskforce. This includes changing the leadership in some units, improving training and focusing on the standards and values expected of officers.”
