Man assaulted by Police Officer at football match

A man using his mobile phone to film at a Birmingham v Aston Villa football match was hit with a baton by a Police Officer in a completely unprovoked attack.

PC Paul Knowles struck the man hard with his baton, knocking the phone out of the victim's hands.

The IPPC found that the police officer may have

(a) committed a criminal offence, or
(b) behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

The victim attended Burton’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on 23 September where he had an x-ray of his left hand. The medical notes stated he had "sustained the following injuries; a comminuted displaced impacted fracture to the neck of the 3 metacarpal with some palmer angulation noted, with a superficial skin flap abrasion and a small area of bruising to the side."

However, the IPCC concluded that, "having analysed all the evidence, there is no indication that PC Paul Knowles may have committed a criminal offence"

Judge for yourself, here's the video.



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Merseyside Policewoman jailed for 22 months.

Merseyside WPC Helen Jones was today jailed for 22 months for Misconduct in public office, after seizing CCTV footage of Steven Gerrard as a 'tool to blackmail'. Jones obtained footage of a street bust up involving Gerrard, using her warrant card whilst on a 'career break'

The 32 year old from Chatham in Kent was jailed for her role in a blackmail plot to 'embarrass' Steven Gerrard. Jones had argued that she got hold of the CCTV for "philanthropic" reasons to help out a friend of a friend but that was rejected by judge Baker at a previous hearing where he said Jones acted for others out of "base motives", possibly as a lever to extort money and "embarrass" Gerrard.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy O’Connor, said Merseyside Police will not tolerate such criminal behaviour. This former officer let down her colleagues whom day in, day out, provide a professional and quality service to members of communities across Merseyside.

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Liverpool Echo Publishes "Policeman slapping youth" story

The Liverpool Echo's Ben Rossington today published the story of the Matrix Officer who slapped a youth, after the video was posted on Huyton Times TV

The Liverpool Echo - Merseyside police officer under investigation over YouTube ‘slap’ video

Merseyside Police Officer slaps youth

This video was recently sent to me. I sent it to various media outlets and Merseyside Police (who had already seen it last year and took no action against the officer concerned). This is the response from Merseyside Police.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson, said: "During the evening of Monday, 23 July (2012), Merseyside Police was made aware of a video on YouTube that appears to show a police officer behaving in an inappropriate manner.

"The footage was obtained and an immediate investigation was launched by the Force’s Professional Standards Department. “A 31-year-old serving police officer has been placed on restrictive duties whilst the investigation into the matter is conducted.

Five Merseyside police officers face misconduct hearings over “inappropriate” texts found on sacked inspector’s phone

"FIVE police officers are facing disciplinary action after a huge probe into “inappropriate” text messages.

The investigation was launched as part of the inquiry into the activities of sacked Chief Inspector Mark Brew earlier this year. Brew, 47, was suspended while an internal inquiry took place and his work mobile phone was analysed as part of the probe.

The ECHO understands as well as implicating Brew and leading to his dismissal, the contents of certain text messages sparked the further investigation of other officers. It is believed at one point up to 28 texts, some said to be from officers in other forces, were examined. Merseyside Police today confirmed five officers were heading for misconduct hearings as a result of the discoveries."

Source: Liverpool Echo

Five suspended Matrix Police Officers Sacked!

Five Police Officers from Merseysides Matrix squad (pictured) were today sacked from the force.

The Officers were sacked on the spot at a disciplinary panel, after photos were found on a mobile phone of an Officer being investigated for theft, showing them larking around and posing with household items whilst carrying out a house search.

After a three month internal inquiry in which Police Sgt Charlie Tennant was sacked and is currently on bail, the five constables in the photo were found guilty of gross misconduct and were also sacked.

Source: Liverpool Echo

Matrix Gun Officer Sgt Charlie Tennant SACKED

Sgt Charlie Tennant of Merseyside Police's Matrix Disruption Unit has been sacked for gross misconduct in Public Office.

Tennant 43, is suspected of stealing items from homes that the Matrix raided and then selling the items on Ebay, he is currently on bail.

This Officer was the main protagonist in my unlawful arrest on May 27th 2009

Three other Officers are currently suspended and on bail.

Source: Liverpool Echo

Nine Merseyside Matrix Police officers under investigation for theft and drug offences.

The three previously suspended Officers are in this photo.

A further six Merseyside Police Officers from the forces Anti-Crime Matrix Unit have been suspended after images found on an Officer's mobile phone were of them clowning around during a house search relating to a serious crime.

Images found on the mobile phone of an Officer previously suspended for theft and misconduct gave Police Chiefs reason to suspend further Officers. Another Officer was suspended for dealing in steroids.

Source: Liverpool Echo

Three Matrix Police Officers suspended

A corrupt force to be investigated.

Three serving Police Officers from the Force's Matrix Disruption Unit, were today suspended over allegations that they stole items from houses they were searching and sold them on the auction website Ebay.

Detectives investigated the three over several months and were led to a profile on Ebay linked to one of the Officers. All three were arrested at their homes on March 9th 2011 and taken to separate Police stations, their computers were seized and are now being examined by IT experts.

All three have since been bailed and are currently suspended pending further inquiries.

Source: Liverpool Echo

Unlawfully Arrested by the Matrix - Part 1

On the evening of Wed 27th May 2009 at 7.30pm, I was travelling in my fully insured, taxed and MOT'd car to my house, having just picked up my friend who lives about a mile from me. We were intending to watch the Champions League Final between Man Utd and Barcelona.

I had already noticed a convoy of Police vehicles patrolling the area on my way to my friends house, and on our way back to my house we were suddenly surrounded by three Police vehicles at a junction and signalled to pull over.

I drove across the junction and pulled onto the left, and Police vehicle stopped behind me and a Matrix minbus pulled up in front. I switched off my engine, undid my seatbelt, got out of my car and stepped onto the pavement to ask an Officer why I had been stopped by three Police vehicles, as we were simply going home to watch the match which kicked off in less than ten minutes and we had not been observed or had we been breaking the law.

An Officer(PC Mark Andrew Gibbs 1039) replied, "We don't need a reason, we can pull anyone, anytime, We are the Police." Another Officer (Sgt Charlie Tennant 1122) approached me and asked what my name was, I replied that I shouldn't have to give my name yet, as I have not been told the reason for the stop.

This Officer then grabbed hold of both my wrists, dragged me to the Matrix van and assaulted me by pushing me inside the vehicle. I was then threatened with violence by both Officers, who informed me in no uncertain terms "not to mess with them".

As I was concerned that I was going to be further physically assaulted, I proceeded to give them my details and I informed them of the fact that I had never been in trouble with the Police in my life, but I was not believed. I was then bundled into a Police carrier, made to sit on the floor, handcuffed, whilst these two officers and another two (namely PC Joanne Kelly 2782 and PC Jason Jones 5899) continued to behave abusive and threatening, attempting to provoke me and treating me with absolute disrespect.

My car was left unlocked where I'd been stopped and I was then handcuffed and driven 5 miles away, being threatened all the way, without being told the reason for my detainment, taken to a Police station, where I was denied a phone call to my family, stripped searched, fingerprinted, eye scanned, face scanned and DNA taken, all without my consent and locked in a cell for five hours, all for asking why I had been stopped.

After all this, I was then given a notice reqesting that I pay £80 or come to a court and "defend" "my" disorderly behaviour, and left to make my own way home from 5 miles away.

© The Huyton Freeman 2009

Lawful Rebel John Harris in Liverpool

Visited the Zanzibar tonight in Liverpool City Centre, to see a presentation from Lawful Rebel John Harris. It was a really enjoyable night, great music from a number of excellent bands and a really friendly atmosphere.

John's presentation was extremely eye opening and informative, he's a truly inspirational fellow.

Here's five minutes of wisdom from John videoed from my mobile phone.


©The Huyton Freeman 2009