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Two Met Police officers have been convicted of assault following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into an incident involving a 16-year-old boy who they were transporting to hospital.       

At the end of a two-day trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, PC Stuart Price and PC Sevda Gonen, based at Wood Green Police Station, were each found guilty of one count of assault by beating for the force used to search the child. PC Gonen was also found guilty of a second charge of assault by beating for slapping the child multiple times to the face and holding him by the hair. They will be sentenced in January 2025.  

On 14 November 2023 the officers were called to a disturbance at an address where there were concerns for the child’s wellbeing. The officers were taking him to hospital for a mental health assessment and while en route, the boy lit a cigarette.     

PC Gonen restrained the child while he was handcuffed by PC Price. Both officers carried out a search on the child in the rear of the van and at no point was the child told why he had been restrained and was being searched.      

During the search, the boy spat on PC Price and PC Gonen covered the child’s mouth and nose with his clothing while holding him by his hair. The child then appeared unresponsive, and PC Gonen slapped him over 20 times in a five-minute period, which she claimed was to check his responsiveness as she believed the child was pretending to be unconscious. An ambulance was requested, however the officers decided to transport the child to hospital in the police van, where he remained unresponsive until he was transferred to hospital staff.      

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Police officers must have a lawful reason for detaining and searching any member of the public and all officers are aware that they must provide individuals with certain information during a search.     

“These officers made no effort to explain their actions and in fact, both gave the IOPC different accounts as to what powers they were performing the search under. On Friday 20^th December, a judge has found that the search of the child was unlawful.      

“Additionally, PC Gonen’s actions in slapping the child to check he was conscious is not an approved method and was found to be a further unlawful use of force.”     

Our investigation began in December 2023 following a mandatory conduct referral from the Met Police. In April 2024, we referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who authorised charges against the officers.       

Now that criminal matters have concluded, we are in ongoing discussions with the Met regarding disciplinary proceedings for these officers.