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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Officer faces G20 assault charge | Officer faces G20 assault charge |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A police officer is to be charged with assaulting a protester at the G20 demonstrations in London, the Crown Prosecution Service has said. | |
| Demonstrators posted Youtube footage of a police officer appearing to strike Brighton woman Nicola Fisher. | Demonstrators posted Youtube footage of a police officer appearing to strike Brighton woman Nicola Fisher. |
| Ms Fisher, 35, was one of two women to complain about the conduct in April of Sgt Delroy (Tony) Smellie. | Ms Fisher, 35, was one of two women to complain about the conduct in April of Sgt Delroy (Tony) Smellie. |
| Prosecutors say there is insufficient evidence to charge the officer in relation to the second allegation. | Prosecutors say there is insufficient evidence to charge the officer in relation to the second allegation. |
| In a statement, a CPS spokesman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Police Sergeant Delroy (Tony) Smellie with the offence of assault by beating of Nicola Fisher on 2 April 2009 at a demonstration in the City of London." | In a statement, a CPS spokesman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Police Sergeant Delroy (Tony) Smellie with the offence of assault by beating of Nicola Fisher on 2 April 2009 at a demonstration in the City of London." |
| The CPS reviewed evidence provided by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - the police watchdog - which investigated Ms Fisher's allegation. | The CPS reviewed evidence provided by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - the police watchdog - which investigated Ms Fisher's allegation. |
| The incident happened on the second day of the G20 protests. | The incident happened on the second day of the G20 protests. |
| Newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson had died during the previous evening's demonstrations. | Newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson had died during the previous evening's demonstrations. |
| Ms Fisher was among a large crowd who attended a vigil for Mr Tomlinson. | Ms Fisher was among a large crowd who attended a vigil for Mr Tomlinson. |
| The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that Met Police spokesman | The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that Met Police spokesman |
| The mobile phone footage of the protest shows a number of demonstrators close to police officers. Ms Fisher seems to be struck by the back of a police officer's hand. | The mobile phone footage of the protest shows a number of demonstrators close to police officers. Ms Fisher seems to be struck by the back of a police officer's hand. |
| When she approaches him a second time, he draws a baton and appears to hit her legs with it. | When she approaches him a second time, he draws a baton and appears to hit her legs with it. |
| Sgt Smellie was suspended following Ms Fisher's complaint to the police watchdog. He is the first officer to face a charge in relation to the G20 protests. | Sgt Smellie was suspended following Ms Fisher's complaint to the police watchdog. He is the first officer to face a charge in relation to the G20 protests. |
| He will appear at City of Westminster magistrates' court on 16 November. | He will appear at City of Westminster magistrates' court on 16 November. |
| The Metropolitan Police confirmed an officer had been summonsed to court on suspicion of assault, but would not comment further on the case. | The Metropolitan Police confirmed an officer had been summonsed to court on suspicion of assault, but would not comment further on the case. |
| "The officer, who is a sergeant with the Territorial Support Group, is suspended pending the outcome of these proceedings," a Met spokesman said. | "The officer, who is a sergeant with the Territorial Support Group, is suspended pending the outcome of these proceedings," a Met spokesman said. |
| He added that officers made split-second decisions to protect themselves, colleagues and the public and were accountable under law and aware their actions were open to scrutiny. | He added that officers made split-second decisions to protect themselves, colleagues and the public and were accountable under law and aware their actions were open to scrutiny. |
| "The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that," he said. | "The decision to use force is made by the individual police officer, and they must account for that," he said. |
| "It is only right that complaints are thoroughly, and where appropriate independently, investigated so facts can be established. This is vital for the confidence of Londoners as well as our own officers." | "It is only right that complaints are thoroughly, and where appropriate independently, investigated so facts can be established. This is vital for the confidence of Londoners as well as our own officers." |
| A separate investigation is continuing into Mr Tomlinson's death - but prosecutors are not expected to take any decision on the case for some time. | A separate investigation is continuing into Mr Tomlinson's death - but prosecutors are not expected to take any decision on the case for some time. |