The policeman denied that he hit a 14-year-old girl on the knee and put his arms around her neck in the hospital.
Following a police investigation, PC Thomas White, 30, of Essex Police, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The court heard that the incident occurred on March 27 in Basildon, when the teenager was arrested by PC White, who allegedly used PAVA spray and “excessive force”.
On Ipswich Magistrates’ CourtPC White, of Jacks Close, Wickford, pleaded not guilty to the offence, citing self-defence. He is next due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on November 18.
Essex Police previously said PC White “was involved in a difficult situation during the arrest of a teenager”.
In April, the armed forces referred the incident to the IOPC, which decided to launch an independent investigation.
Following the conclusion of the IOPC investigation sent a file of evidence down Crown Prosecution Servicewho approved the charges against PC White.
At Ipswich Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Paul Brown said: ‘During his arrest PC White assaulted (the victim) and failed to provide any care.
“He is accused of grabbing her by the throat, hitting her with his knee, hitting her in the groin and throwing her onto a chair in the hospital.
“The victim was defenseless and was actually handcuffed during some of the assaults. There was clearly a breach of trust.”
White denied committing the crime, claiming self-defense, and was released on unconditional bail.
