Police Sergeant accused of attacking colleague in Anniesland

A Police Sergeant bruised a constable's ankle after allegedly stamping on it.

Malcolm Gerrard, 38, is on trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court accused of assaulting PC Natalie George, 31, in the city's Anniesland on October 25, 2020.

Constable George claimed she screamed when Gerrard used force during the "very quick" blows.

The officer stated that the incident occurred during the arrest of a suspect who was lashing out on the ground.

Gerrard, whose bail address is Police Scotland's Professional Standards department, denies the single charge.

The court heard from PC George who claimed she and colleague PC Adam Gravely were tasked with tracing a man accused of housebreaking.

The officer stated that they spotted the heavy built youth and tried to arrest him.

PC George told the court that the pair repeatedly struggled to restrain the suspect and other officers arrived including Gerrard.

The officer stated that the suspect was being pinned to the ground "kicking his legs out moving his body about."

PC George said that she attempted to put fast straps on the suspect's legs to restrain him.

She said: "I was aware of Sergent Gerrard behind me and at that point I felt a stamp on my ankle."

Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: "You felt a stamp on your ankle?"

PC George: "It didn't feel like one, it felt like two or three."

The officer claimed that she did not see Gerrard strike the blows.

Miss Reid asked how quick in succession the stamps were.

PC George replied: "Very quick."

Miss Reid: "What level of force was used?"

PC George: "Enough that I shouted out and swore at the Sergent as it was really really sore."

The officer claimed she shouted: "F*** sake Malky, that's my foot."

She added that her ankle was bruised as a result of the blows.

Iain Cahill, defending, put it to the officer that Gerrard apologised which she replied: "Yes."

Mr Cahill: "You fully appreciate this was an accident and he didn't mean to put pressure on your ankle?"

PC George: "I accept his apology and that he didn't mean to hurt me."

She added that she did not put a complaint in about the incident.

The trial continues before Sheriff Allan Findlay.