Pc cleared of assaulting prisoner
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A police officer who was prosecuted after he pushed a prisoner who refused to sit down on a bench was cleared of assault by magistrates today.
Pc Glynn Dutton, 36, was captured on CCTV pushing Hasan Mumtaz in a custody suite at Trafalgar House police station, in Bradford, in June last year.
The officer told magistrates in Sheffield he had become concerned for his safety when Mumtaz refused to sit down, especially given the prisoner's violent background and convictions for drug dealing.
It emerged during a two-day trial that Mumtaz had served a number of prison terms for serious violent offences and is currently serving a 21 month-long sentence for affray.
The magistrates were also told how Mumtaz was a "serial complainer", having clocked up at least 29 complaints against West Yorkshire officers over a two-and-a-half-year period, none of which were substantiated.
As Pc Dutton hugged supporters outside the court, the Police Federation said: "This officer was doing what he's paid to do and for that he and his family have suffered."
Ned Liddemore, from the West Yorkshire branch, said: "We're absolutely delighted that the court have delivered the right and just verdict in this case.
"Mr Dutton, his wife and family, have been under immense pressure and stress since this investigation commenced some nine months ago.
"Throughout this investigation, the officer has been on restricted duties and the public of West Yorkshire have lost the front line services of an excellent and hard-working constable.
"There are no words that can express how a police officer feels when he or she is accused of any offence, never mind one of such a serious nature.
"Nonetheless, justice has prevailed and Pc Dutton has been acquitted.
"It has been an extremely difficult time for Pc Dutton following these allegations by Mumtaz."
Pc Dutton, of Bridon Way, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, was cleared of one count of common assault.