Jessie Smith secures acquittal at Oxford Crown Court following episode of police violence

Jessie Smith, instructed by Simon Natas (Partner, ITN Solicitors) secured a unanimous acquittal at Oxford Crown Court following a 5-day trial by jury. BB was charged with assault of an emergency worker, following an incident on the steps of Reading Crown Court involving 15 police officers. The defence case was that police were acting unlawfully, having punched the defendant in the head, pepper sprayed him within centimetres of his face, kicked him in the back and produced a taser. The defendant was not under arrest at the time police used force, and nor was he committing any criminal offence. The defendant gave evidence that he struck back at police in lawful self-defence.   

The case explored the boundaries of police use of force, the manner in which violence is justified and recorded, and the limitations in statute and common law.