PCs face assault charges over patient restraint

Five PCs have been charged after an incident in an Islington hospital

Five Metropolitan Police officers have been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) after a man was restrained during an incident at a hospital.

On 3 April 2023 a man in his 50s was detained by police under the Mental Health Act after reportedly behaving erratically in the street, threatening members of the public and setting fire to his clothing.

He was taken to an Islington hospital, which has not been named, where he "became agitated and was restrained by officers", according to the Met.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct investigated the incident and then referred it to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided to press charges against the officers.

The man was released from hospital in May 2023.

The five officers charged are PC David Hollands, PC Anthony Bhar, PC Robert Wall, PC Elena Cebotari and PC Dan Penfold.

They are based in the Met's Central North Command and have been charged with two counts each of GBH.

PC Bhar is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 5 August and the remaining four will appear at the same court on 15 August.

Ch Supt Jason Stewart, who leads policing for Central North Command, said: "It is always a matter of deep regret when a member of public is injured through an interaction with officers and I know this matter will cause concern.

"We must now let criminal proceedings proceed unhindered while continuing to maintain an open dialogue with the community."