Two Met Police Officers Convicted Over Romford Assault
PC Jack Wood Faces Sentencing for Assault
PC Jack Wood, 26, has been found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating. He is due to be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 3 June.
Ex-PC Archie Payne Fined Over Same Incident
Former PC Archie Payne, 27, was convicted of assault by beating. He has been fined £600, ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, plus a £34 victim surcharge. Payne resigned from the Met in November 2020.
Assault Occurred During 2020 Romford Fight
The convictions stem from an incident on 5 January 2020. Both officers were on duty in Romford responding to reports of a fight. During the scuffle, a 26-year-old man suffered head lacerations caused by a baton strike. Another 26-year-old man was physically restrained.
Force Deemed Excessive After Investigation
The Met received a formal complaint about the officers’ use of force. The case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Following their probe and the Crown Prosecution Service’s review, Wood and Payne were charged in July 2020.
Commander Paul Betts from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards said: “We recognise that officers face challenging situations on a daily basis and that the use of force is an unavoidable aspect of frontline policing. However it is essential that when force is used it is reasonable, proportionate and lawful. In this case, we felt that the force used by these officers was excessive and referred the matter to the IOPC. The criminal case has now concluded and a decision will be taken about what further misconduct proceedings should follow.”
