Teenager 'filmed policeman seizing him round throat'

Published on Wednesday 4 February 2009 21:02

A POLICE officer was yesterday found guilty of assaulting a teenager at a police station where the victim was being questioned over a theft.

PC Brian Carswell, 48, of Ayr, was charged with assaulting cafe worker David Shields, 16, during an interview.

Ayr Sheriff Court previously heard how the youngster went to the station voluntarily following an allegation of theft at the O'Brien's sandwich bar where he worked.

When three officers entered the interview room at Ayr Police Station, they found him crying, with marks on his throat.

The teenager, of Ayr, said that 15-stone Carswell flew at him, grabbing his clothes and pinning him against a wall.

He said he was then seized by the throat and assaulted – and he had recorded the incident on his mobile phone.

A female officer confiscated the phone but Carswell then took it from her.

Sheriff Carole Cunninghame found Carswell guilty of two charges of assault. She also found him guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by taking the phone, intending to deleting incriminating evidence.

She said: "I am satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that you are guilty of all charges."

Carswell – who has been suspended since the incident 15 months ago – faces the sack after 25 years of service.

Mr Shields was accused of stealing 160 from the cafe but no money was recovered.

The court heard Carswell had diabetes and admitted he could be irritable if his blood sugar level was low.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "This matter will now be reported to the Deputy Chief Constable. The officer remains suspended."

Sentence was deferred.