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G20 death: PC accepts it was 'wrong' to hit Tomlinson | G20 death: PC accepts it was 'wrong' to hit Tomlinson |
(40 minutes later) | |
A PC accused of killing Ian Tomlinson accepts he was "wrong" to hit and push the newspaper seller, a court heard. | A PC accused of killing Ian Tomlinson accepts he was "wrong" to hit and push the newspaper seller, a court heard. |
PC Simon Harwood, 45, of south London, denies the 2009 manslaughter of Mr Tomlinson, 47, during the G20 protests. | PC Simon Harwood, 45, of south London, denies the 2009 manslaughter of Mr Tomlinson, 47, during the G20 protests. |
The officer told Southwark Crown Court if he had realised Mr Tomlinson was walking away from police lines at the time he "would not have gone near him". | The officer told Southwark Crown Court if he had realised Mr Tomlinson was walking away from police lines at the time he "would not have gone near him". |
Mr Tomlinson was hit with a baton and shoved to the ground before dying minutes later in the City of London. | Mr Tomlinson was hit with a baton and shoved to the ground before dying minutes later in the City of London. |
Pc Harwood told investigators in 2009 that his actions had been justified based on the threat officers faced from the crowds. | Pc Harwood told investigators in 2009 that his actions had been justified based on the threat officers faced from the crowds. |
But cross-examining, Mark Dennis QC suggested to the officer that he had "made up" this state of mind for his defence. | But cross-examining, Mark Dennis QC suggested to the officer that he had "made up" this state of mind for his defence. |
"When we look at that video, we are not looking at someone who is a greenhorn, attending his first incident of violence," said Mr Dennis. | "When we look at that video, we are not looking at someone who is a greenhorn, attending his first incident of violence," said Mr Dennis. |
"No," said the officer. | "No," said the officer. |
'Shock at footage' | 'Shock at footage' |
Mr Dennis asked PC Harwood: "You do now accept that what you did in relation to Mr Tomlinson was wrong?" | Mr Dennis asked PC Harwood: "You do now accept that what you did in relation to Mr Tomlinson was wrong?" |
Harwood replied: "Like I said, now I do, but not at the time." | Harwood replied: "Like I said, now I do, but not at the time." |
He went on: "Now I've seen all the evidence and I know how poorly Mr Tomlinson was I'm sorry that I got involved, I shouldn't have hit him with a baton and pushed him." | He went on: "Now I've seen all the evidence and I know how poorly Mr Tomlinson was I'm sorry that I got involved, I shouldn't have hit him with a baton and pushed him." |
Looking at a photograph of Mr Tomlinson, who was an alcoholic and slept rough for a number of years, PC Harwood said he would rank him as an eight out of 10, where 10 was a fully fit person. | |
Mr Tomlinson's family walked out of court as the officer went through a list of his options when he came across the 47-year-old. | |
He listed using a baton, a push, kicks, punches, CS spray, handcuffs, his voice or firearms. | |
Earlier, PC Harwood told the jury of his "shock" and "horror" as he watched the footage of his push. | Earlier, PC Harwood told the jury of his "shock" and "horror" as he watched the footage of his push. |
Patrick Gibbs QC, defending, asked the officer what he had then felt. | Patrick Gibbs QC, defending, asked the officer what he had then felt. |
"Horror, to think it could be me and what it could lead to." | "Horror, to think it could be me and what it could lead to." |
"You looked at it and thought it was you?" asked Mr Gibbs. | "You looked at it and thought it was you?" asked Mr Gibbs. |
Mr Dennis asked Harwood: "You have to be aware that the person you are dealing with may, for example, have a frailty?" | |
He replied: "Yes." | |
"Yes," replied Pc Harwood. | "Yes," replied Pc Harwood. |
"Did you want to believe it was you?" | "Did you want to believe it was you?" |
"No." | "No." |