G20 Policeman who pushed Ian Tomlinson over - No Charge

[The Large One]

BBC News - No charges over G20 mans death

No charges over G20 man's death

An officer who was filmed apparently pushing a man to the ground during the G20 protests will not face charges over his death. Ian Tomlinson, 47, died minutes after being caught up in the clashes on 1 April 2009 in the City of London.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded that "there was no realistic prospect of conviction".

The incident and its aftermath was caught on amateur video. The officer, a member of the Metropolitan Police's territorial support group, is currently suspended.

Mr Tomlinson, a newspaper seller who was not involved in the protests, was walking home when he was caught up in the demonstration. The video footage showed him being apparently struck by a baton and then pushed to the ground. He was seen moving away after the incident but was found collapsed 100 metres away in Cornhill.

Lawyers have examined the video footage as well as CCTV images, photographs and witness statements. Three post-mortem examinations were conducted on Mr Tomlinson's body leading to different conclusions.

The first found the father of nine died of natural causes, the second of internal bleeding and the results of the third, conducted on behalf of the officer, were not made public. Following the death the Independent Police Complaints Commission completed their inquiry in August 2009 and handed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

On the first anniversary of Mr Tomlinson's death his family and campaigners criticised the CPS for the delay in reaching a decision.

 

[Bwian]

Well that's a surprise-who'd have thought it?

 

[glasfryn]

Well that's a surprise-who'd have thought it?

my sentiments exactly

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

I BLAME the coalition government.

 

[daveinprague]

not enough video evidence probably...but how much do they need ffs

Unlike that American TWAT cop....who at LEAST had the decency to resign before his criminal charges

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/835109-video-showing-cop-pushing-man-off-bike-is-youtube-hit

 

[desprateseagull]

wonder what verdict would have been, if the victim had pushed over the copper..?

 

[User removed 4]

Seems he is the archetypal bully boy copper, shouldnt even have been in the met according to this .
Officer under investigation over Ian Tomlinson's death 'should not have been working for Met' - Telegraph

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Whitewash !

 

[Dandyman]

Seems he is the archetypal bully boy copper, shouldnt even have been in the met according to this .
Officer under investigation over Ian Tomlinson's death 'should not have been working for Met' - Telegraph

Interesting story - hardly inspires confidence in the Met.

Interesting to consider what would have happened if Tomlinson or one of the demonstrators had hit a copper resulting in his death...

 

[User removed 4]

Interesting story - hardly inspires confidence in the Met.

Interesting to consider what would have happened if Tomlinson or one of the demonstrators had hit a copper resulting in his death...

Does anyone seriously think there would have been this outcome had Ian Tomlindon been black ?

 

[Pot noodles for everyone]

Does anyone seriously think there would have been this outcome had Ian Tomlindon been black ?

To be honest - anyone but a Millwall fan.

 

[beorhthelm]

not enough video evidence probably...but how much do they need ffs

or not enough evidence at all really to prove the officers actions lead directly to his death. simple defence, beyond resonable doubt is the criteria, could he have sustained other injuries by others not caught on camera?

 

[The Spanish]

or not enough evidence at all really to prove the officers actions lead directly to his death. simple defence, beyond resonable doubt is the criteria, could he have sustained other injuries by others not caught on camera?

you do not have to be f***ing quincey or rumpole to work this one out. someone has literally got away with murder on camera.

there are going to be loads of boring posts on the legal position on this, but what people see is someone who is supposed to protect you killing someone and the rest of the people who are supposed to protect you close ranks.

end of f***ing story.

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

Possibly. But even so, the copper in question acted like a twat. Bringing the force into disrepute should be the last thing he hears before signing on.

 

[Acker79]

I think there are people in society who hate police, maybe it's authority they hate, maybe just police, but whatever the incident, whatever the handling of it, they will always blame the police.

They could hold an open trial, and even if the most likely outcome would be acquittal based on lack of evidence there would be conspiracies about police/government influence and people would still not accept it.


However, I think there are also some people who genuinely feel the police officer was in the wrong, and an open trial, however futile the CPA may think the case is, would allow them to see the process, allow them to see the evidence from the coroners, and if the decision was made by 12 members of public in a court of law would actually accept the decision more than the way it has been reached.

It would be a burden on an already busy justice system, but should we make sure police incidences like this are always tried in a court of law to avoid questions of closed ranks and so on?

 

[pork pie]

Possibly. But even so, the copper in question acted like a twat. Bringing the force into disrepute should be the last thing he hears before signing on.

Agreed, or at least an assault charge. Complete and utter white-wash.

 

[Pinkie Brown]

Typical establishment whitewash. Murder by the Met would now appear to be legalised? The fact there was THREE autopsies & two of them stated he died as a result of injuries sustained when attacked by the copper is all the more unbelievable.

There are some good officers out there but especially in the Met, there are plenty of meathead knucle draggers who have no right being in a uniform

Yet another own goal by the Met. Another one of many in recent years.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The 2nd autopsy said cause of death was internal bleeding but because the guy was an alcoholic his illness would also be a contributory factor. Unfortunately this bloke was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

As I understand it, the CPS have to decide one thing and one thing only.

Is there a reasonable chance of getting a conviction?

Their spokesman said there is conflicting medical evidence which makes it unlikely that a conviction could be secured, and assuming this is the case then the decision not to prosecute is the correct one.

Mind you, there seems to be some question over the competency of one of the autopsy doctors but that's a different issue.

If the CPS thinks that this confusion means it is unlikely that a conviction would succeed then they are right not to go ahead.

And sorry to be pedantic, but if you don't agree with this decision don't blame the Met, it's nothing to do with them.

It will be interesting to see how the Met deal with the officer under their disciplinary process. Without knowing all the background and basing a decision only on what I've seen on TV I hope they sling him out on his ear!

 

[Guy Fawkes]

What a surprise - Seems that they (and other emergency services for that matter) can get away with whatever they want without having to face any consequences and this is just another example of the Police closing ranks, which happens every time and will continue to happen until there is a truely independant body in place to handle issues / complaints etc like these and are willing to made a stand and prosecute people like this copper and leave it for the jury to decide just like any other citizen would have to. - and before anyone says, the Independant Police Complaints Commission are not truely independant and therefore likely to fall on the side of protecting a member of the emergency services claiming its not in the public interest to persue the matter further, even if it means justice isn't upheld.