A law enforcement officer has been acquitted of assault charges after using a Taser on a suspected burglar who subsequently fell from a wall, sustaining severe injuries. Leonard Sandiford, 61, fell from a building when he was tasered by police constable Liam Newman in east London, as revealed in court proceedings. Despite this, Metropolitan Police’s Pc Newman, 31, was declared not guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm after a trial at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, overseeing policing in Redbridge, expressed sympathy for Mr. Sandiford, who suffered life-altering injuries in the incident. He emphasized the regret felt when individuals are harmed during encounters with the police, highlighting the importance of holding officers accountable. Bell acknowledged the challenging situations officers face daily, requiring them to make tough decisions in the heat of the moment.
The incident occurred when Mr. Sandiford attempted to evade the police in the early hours of April 24, 2022, by climbing onto a building in a cul-de-sac. Pc Newman, accompanied by another officer, was responding to reports of an attempted burglary at a bookmaker in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green.
Following an inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Pc Newman, assigned to the East Area Command, entered a plea of not guilty to grievous bodily harm on November 20, 2024, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Chief Superintendent Bell reiterated the significance of Tasers as a critical tool for law enforcement but assured ongoing evaluations of their use and continuous training for officers to ensure proper tactics are employed.
Pc Newman has been on limited duties since the incident, with plans to address any misconduct issues in collaboration with the IOPC now that the criminal proceedings have concluded.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Irshad Sheikh contended that the officer’s actions were not driven by personal safety concerns but rather by preventing Mr. Sandiford from escaping, labeling it as negligent policing. In contrast, defense counsel Kevin Baumber portrayed Newman as a dedicated public servant acting with legitimate intentions. Newman’s body-worn camera footage was presented, showing the events leading up to the incident, with Newman emphasizing his belief in the perceived threat posed by Mr. Sandiford.
The court was shown video evidence where Mr. Sandiford was seen moving on the building before being tasered, leading to his fall. Newman explained his actions, stating he believed Mr. Sandiford was on a lower platform than he actually was, denying any indifference towards Mr. Sandiford’s safety.
The trial shed light on the complexities of policing in high-stress situations, emphasizing the need for constant review and improvement in law enforcement practices.