A police officer, Andrew Watt, charged with abusing a detained lady is scheduled to appear in court, as confirmed by the police department.
PC Andrew Watt, 51, stationed at Clacton police station, has been charged with two charges of assault by beating.
The allegations pertain to an event in December 2023 during which a lady “sustained a head injury” while in custody at Colchester, according to Essex Police.
Mr. Andrew Watt is scheduled to appear before magistrates in Cambridge on Thursday. The hearing ensues subsequent to an inquiry conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A spokesperson for Essex Police stated: “The charges pertain to a complex incident during which a woman was apprehended and transported to a custody suite.”
“During that period, the woman incurred a head injury.” Consequently, PC Andrew Watt was suspended.
The police force stated that it had referred the event to its professional standards section and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC stated that the woman, apprehended in Clacton and then transported to Colchester, necessitated hospital treatment.
“While in custody in Colchester, she was reportedly pushed twice in a police cell by the officer,” it stated.
The IOPC stated that upon concluding its inquiry, it submitted a dossier of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which subsequently “authorised the charge.”
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