Gloucestershire PC convicted of Ryton assault

The golden wedding anniversary celebrations quickly deteriorated after remarks about Lorimer's wife, the trial heard

A Gloucestershire police officer has been convicted of punching his niece at a family party.

PC Neil Lorimer, 49, left Emily Robinson with a black eye after the incident near Shrewsbury on 14 November 2021.

Giving evidence, Ms Robinson said the fallout from the incident had "shattered" the family.

Lorimer, currently suspended, was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £800 compensation.

The incident happened at Ryton Grange Farmhouse at Ryton as the family celebrated a golden wedding anniversary.

Kidderminster Magistrates' Court heard the group had been drinking, with Lorimer having had two cans of cider, two glasses of wine, some prosecco and whiskey, but said he was not drunk.

'Caught in crossfire'

The 49-year-old, from Cheltenham, said the incident happened as he "went to grab" his nephew, Scott Boseley, claiming he "raised his arm" to his wife.

Giving evidence, Ms Robinson said it had been "a really nice night" but that she was caught in the "crossfire" when the atmosphere changed amid remarks about Mr Lorimer's wife Natasha, who is Ms Robinson's aunt .

She added some members of the family had "cut all ties" and "ostracised" her after her decision to report the incident to police.

Convicting Lorimer, District Judge Ian Strongman said: "He got an idea in his head that Scott Boseley had behaved improperly towards his wife, he was angry and he struck out in temper.

"The fact he was aiming at Scott and hit Emily is of no consequence, it's a matter of transferred malice.

"There's no defence to the charge and I find him guilty of the assault."

Lorimer, based in Gloucestershire Police's crime management unit, was also ordered to pay £850 in costs and a £95 victim surcharge.