A Metropolitan Police officer has been acquitted of assaulting a woman during a volatile confrontation on a London bus, though the controversial case continues to raise questions about police conduct.
PC Perry Lathwood, 49, was cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court of assaulting a woman who became embroiled in a dispute over bus fare in south London. The incident, which occurred on July 4 last year, left the woman with a broken arm and significant bruising.
The Bus Stop Confrontation
The altercation began when police were called to a bus stop on Trinity Road in Balham following reports of a dispute over fare payment. Body-worn footage presented in court showed PC Lathwood attempting to remove a woman from the bus when the situation escalated dramatically.
During the struggle, the woman's arm became trapped between the bus doors as she attempted to exit the vehicle. The court heard evidence that PC Lathwood continued to pull on the woman's arm despite her screams of pain and clear distress.
Medical Consequences and Legal Arguments
The woman sustained a broken elbow and extensive bruising to her arm, requiring ongoing medical treatment. Prosecutors argued that the officer used "excessive and unreasonable force" during the arrest.
However, District Judge John Zani ruled that PC Lathwood had acted lawfully in the execution of his duties, stating the officer had used "necessary and proportionate" force given the circumstances of the confrontation.
Misconduct Proceedings Loom
Despite the criminal acquittal, PC Lathwood still faces an internal misconduct hearing within the Metropolitan Police. The hearing will examine whether the officer breached professional standards during the incident.
The case has drawn attention to police use of force procedures and the handling of confrontations with members of the public on public transport.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the officer remains on restricted duties pending the outcome of the misconduct proceedings, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of the force's operational methods.
