Two Cops Found Guilty of Assault Over Excessive Force on Missing Girl
Police Constable Deborah Sands, 46, and PC Kris Green, 35, have been found guilty of assault after using excessive force on a missing girl during an arrest in East Sussex. The shocking verdict came after a two-day trial at Folkestone Magistrates Court.
Shocking Body Cam Footage Reveals Brutal Arrest
The court heard that the officers went way beyond what was necessary. PC Sands sprayed PAVA incapacitant spray directly in the girl’s face while she was handcuffed and seatbelted inside a police van. Meanwhile, PC Green delivered a brutal knee strike to her head, kicked her leg, and used a spit guard.
District Judge Justin Barron said he was “genuinely shocked” after watching the body-worn footage, adding: “The degree of force was wholly disproportionate to the circumstances.”
IPCC Slams Officers for Breaching Trust
Graham Beesley, IOPC Regional Director, blasted the officers: “Police officers have the power to use force only when absolutely necessary, reasonable, and proportionate. Both officers clearly went beyond what was needed to control the girl.”
Our investigation, launched after Sussex Police’s referral in July 2020, uncovered multiple issues, including gross misconduct allegations. The officers are also accused of being discourteous, failing to accurately record their use of force, and sharing the bodycam footage inappropriately with colleagues.
Next Steps: Sentencing & Disciplinary Action
Sentencing for PC Sands and PC Green is set for 26 January. Meanwhile, Sussex Police will now pursue disciplinary proceedings against the pair following the criminal case. Our five-month investigation reviewed body cam and custody CCTV footage, interviewed involved officers and witnesses, and examined police use of force procedures.
This case sends a stark message: police brutality won’t be swept under the carpet.
