A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer has been found guilty of assault following an incident involving a teenage boy at a care home in Wigan. PC Benjamin Heppenstall was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a 16-year-old boy, relating to an incident that occurred while on duty in January 2021.
The verdict was reached after a five-day trial at Bolton Crown Court, which concluded on September 27, 2024. The jury’s decision came after reviewing crucial body-worn camera footage that captured the entire altercation.
The incident began when PC Heppenstall responded to a report of threats made against two female staff members at the care home. After arresting two suspects, Heppenstall confronted the 16-year-old, who was sitting on a sofa near the suspects. When the officer instructed the boy to leave the room and go to bed, the teenager refused to comply.
According to witness accounts and video evidence, PC Heppenstall escalated the situation by attempting to physically remove the boy from the sofa. The officer grabbed the boy by the throat, forcibly pulling him away and tearing his t-shirt in the process. Heppenstall then grabbed the boy a second time, causing injuries and prompting one of the care workers to intervene.
The case was investigated by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate following a formal complaint. Detective Chief Inspector Iqbal Ahmed, who heads the directorate, described the incident as a “shocking use of unnecessary and excessive force on a defenceless teenager.
DCI Ahmed emphasized the role of body-worn cameras in promoting accountability, stating, “This important equipment—which every frontline officer has—is not just for their protection but also for public protection.
PC Heppenstall, who has been on restricted duties since January 2021, is now facing suspension from the force. GMP is preparing misconduct proceedings, and Heppenstall is scheduled for sentencing on November 27, 2024.
