Off-Duty Cop Busted for Assault in NW10 Street Brawl
PC Caught Red-Handed After Late-Night Fracas
PC Stephen Maskell, 44, from the North East Command Unit, faced justice at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 26 July. He was handed a 12-week community order and ordered to wear a curfew for 12 weeks following an assault charge.
Compensation and Costs Hit the Officer Hard
The judge slapped Maskell with a £500 victim compensation payment and £635 in court costs. The verdict came after he was found guilty of assault by beating and issuing threatening, abusive, or insulting words likely to cause harassment or distress.
Night of Chaos on Charlton Road
The ugly scene unfolded in the early hours of 5 July 2020 on Charlton Road, NW10. A concerned local heard a disturbance and went to investigate, only to be aggressively detained by Maskell – who was off duty at the time.
Maskell identified himself as a police officer and claimed he was detaining the man for a search, despite having no legal grounds. He then turned hostile, verbally abusing the victim and another resident who came to check the commotion.
Drunk and Disorderly Cop Arrested
Arriving officers found Maskell heavily intoxicated. He was promptly arrested and charged in August 2020. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards took action immediately, placing him on restricted duties.
“The high standards we expect from our officers apply equally when they are off duty,” said Superintendent Waheed Khan. “PC Maskell’s actions on this night were unacceptable. Misconduct proceedings will now take place following the conclusion of this court case.”
