Met Officer not guilty of GBH after using taser on a man
A Met Police officer has wept in court after being cleared of unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man left paralysed after he tasered him.
The court was told Pc Imran Mahmood used the weapon on Jordan Walker-Brown during a patrol in May 2020, believing he was armed and dangerous.
Walker-Brown who was 23 at the time broke his back and hit his head during the incident. Prosecutors have told Southwark Crown Court he had not pulled a weapon or presented a 'physical threat' to anyone ta the time he was tasered.
Speaking outside court he said: "I feel like he won before he got here, it's rigged, I was fighting against something that is bigger than everything.
"But I'm over it, it's done."
He added: "Win or lose, it's a losing battle."
Jurors had been deliberating for over nine and a half hours when the verdict was reached.
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who is responsible for policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: “My thoughts today are with Mr Walker-Brown and his family whose lives have been changed forever. I don’t underestimate the effect this incident will have had on them and have offered to meet with them when appropriate to listen to their concerns and discuss the matter in further detail. It is always a matter of deep regret when an individual comes to harm following contact with police and officers know that in such circumstances their actions will be subject to the highest scrutiny.
“I am also very aware of the significant impact this incident has had on the wider community. We know that today’s outcome may reignite those feelings, which is why we have been working closely with key members of the community and partner agencies across the borough to listen to concerns and build on our existing relationships with all communities.
“We are aware that police use of Taser is seen by some as a controversial tactic, and incidents like this raise very legitimate concerns about its use. We are concerned too, and want to improve how we engage with our communities around this issue, by encouraging a two-way dialogue and having those we serve more involved in monitoring how we use the tactic. We do believe that it remains a vital tool, but will continue to keep its use under constant review and regularly train our officers to ensure they use the tactic appropriately.”
PC Mahmood has been on restricted duties since the incident. Now that criminal matters have concluded misconduct proceedings will be considered.
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