A Dorset Police constable has been sentenced following an assault that occurred while he was off duty in Weymouth.
Police Constable Gareth Morris, aged 41, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 August 2021 and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £400 compensation to the victim, £600 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge. He previously appeared at the same court on Friday 18 June 2021 and was found guilty of an offence of assault by beating.
At around 3am on Sunday 8 March 2020 Morris was out drinking with friends in The Nook bar on The Esplanade.
The victim – a Weymouth man aged in his 60s – bought a drink from the bar and went to stand near the patio doors in the building where Morris was already standing.
The victim was pushed from behind by Morris, causing him to fall over a piece of furniture in the bar. He sustained grazes to the lower part of his leg and swelling to his right knee.
Morris was later interviewed in connection with the incident and admitted pushing the victim, but claimed it was in self-defence. Evidence presented in court stated that his actions may have been as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was diagnosed after the incident.
Superintendent Paul Kessell, Head of Dorset Police’s Professional Standards Department, said: “A thorough investigation was carried out into the incident and there was no evidence that the victim did anything to provoke the assault.
“It is very disappointing for the Force that an officer has committed a criminal offence as we expect the highest standards of behaviour from all members of Dorset Police.
“We will investigate all reports of violence and do everything we can, working with partners across the criminal justice system, to bring offenders to justice.”
Misconduct proceedings were paused while the criminal justice proceedings took place to ensure no prejudice to the criminal case. The misconduct case will now be considered.
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