Police officer pleads not guilty to GBH after tasered man fell from outbuilding during chase

20 November 2024, 11:06 | Updated: 20 November 2024, 12:25

A police officer has pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm after he was accused of tasering a man who then fell off an outbuilding and suffered life-changing injuries.

Metropolitan Police officer Liam Newman appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning to deny the charges.

It is alleged he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Leonard Sandiford.

The 30-year-old, based at Ilford police station, was chasing Mr Sandiford on foot in Woodford Green, east London, on 24 April 2022 when the 61-year-old climbed up onto a "shed structure".

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct says he fell after Newman tasered him.

The police watchdog carried out a year-long investigation before passing a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.

Newman, of Hornchurch, was granted unconditional bail ahead of his next court appearance on 18 December at Southwark Crown Court.

(c) Sky News 2024: Police officer pleads not guilty to GBH after tasered man fell from outbuilding during chase