Police officer caught on camera assaulting handcuffed suspect

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A police officer caught on camera attacking a handcuffed man has been given a suspended prison sentence and banned from the force.

PC Jonathan Reynolds, 35, sprayed PAVA, a synthetic pepper-like liquid, in the face of Jamie Cruse while arresting him for drunk and disorderly behaviour outside a pub.

The suspect, who was stood against a wall at the time, was recorded on another officer’s body-worn camera responding: “Are you spraying me? What are you doing?”.

After arriving at Newton police station in Powys, Wales, PC Reynolds dragged the detainee from the back seat of a police van and pushed him to the floor.

Reynolds resigned earlier this month after ten years’ service and on 19 June a police misconduct hearing found he had breached standards of professional behaviour relating to “use of force”, “authority, respect and courtesy”, and “discreditable conduct”.

He was also placed on the College of Policing Barred List, which will prevent him from working within policing in future.

On Thursday, Reynolds was sentenced at Swansea Magistrates’ Court to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for a year, after being convicted of two charges of common assault.

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Mark Collins described Reynolds’ actions during the incident on 27 May last year as “unacceptable”.

He said: “Dyfed-Powys Police expects and demands the highest standards of professional behaviour from its officers and staff.

“Police officers are rightly held to a high standard of behaviour because they are trusted by our communities to conduct enquiries and investigations with respect, and to treat with dignity members of the public they come into contact with.

“Dyfed-Powys Police as an organisation advocates positive action in respect of any behaviour which falls below the standards expected. The force encourages both members of the public and colleagues to report any concerns in respect of the conduct of officers or staff so that appropriate action can be taken.”

Reynolds was also ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to the victim.

Additional reporting by Press Association