PC who attacked homeless boy loses appeal

A police officer who assaulted a homeless boy with learning difficulties has lost his appeal to have the conviction thrown out.

PC Lee Prince hit and mocked the 17-year-old boy outside Liquor World in Swindon, Wiltshire, while on-duty as a firearms officer on 17 April 2023.

He was found guilty of assault following a trial in March, where he was sentenced to 16 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

Prince, who is currently suspended from his duties as a police officer, will also face an internal gross misconduct investigation.

At the trial, it was found that Prince used "force to the face" while detaining the boy outside a shop on suspicion of criminal damage.

The judge said the teenager was deemed "vulnerable due to his age" and because he had learning difficulties.

Prince was also verbally abusive to the boy and called him a "cretin".

Wiltshire Police Dep Ch Con Mark Cooper said: "The public rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour from our officers, and where it is found that they have fallen short, it is right that they are held to account.

"We will not hesitate to robustly apply the law in such cases.

"The public place their trust and confidence in Wiltshire Police and it is imperative that we reflect that in how we expect the highest standards from those within the organisation."

Prince must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £775 in trial costs, £500 in compensation, and a £154 victim surcharge.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.