Officers charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm

Five Met officers have been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after an incident in which a man was restrained at an Islington hospital.

The officers, all PCs based on the Central North Command, are charged with two counts each of GBH, contrary to Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

They are PC David Hollands, PC Anthony Bhar, PC Robert Wall, PC Elena Cebotari, and PC Dan Penfold. PC Bhar is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 5 August. The remaining four will appear at the same court on Friday, 15 August.

On 3 April 2023 a man in his 50s was detained under the Mental Health Act having reportedly been seen to be behaving erratically in the street, threatening members of the public and setting fire to his clothing.

While in hospital, the man became agitated and was restrained by officers. He was subsequently released from hospital the following month.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing for Central North Command, said: “It is always a matter of deep regret when a member of public is injured through an interaction with officers and I know this matter will cause concern. We must now let criminal proceedings proceed unhindered while continuing to maintain an open dialogue with the community.”

As is routine in such circumstances, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and a referral was made to the IOPC who launched an independent investigation resulting in the referral of files to the CPS and a determination that their actions amounted to gross misconduct.