PC accused of using his police dog to inflict violence on suspects

Police officer, Pc Paul Jackson from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester has been accused of using his dog to inflict violence on suspects. Pc Jackson is a dog handler who manages police dog 'Jerry' who is a German Shepherd. It has been alleged that on five separate pursuits, Jackman used Jerry to 'vent his contempt' between August 2015 and September 2016.

 

The Crown Court hearing the case has accepted that the initial deployment of Jerry on two occasions was lawful in the pursuit of the suspects. However, Jonathan Sandiford, who is a prosecutor in the case, has alleged that Jackson allowed his dog to cause serious injuries even after the suspect had been detained. 

 

One example of this reported that the German Shepherd was released on a suspect who already had serious injuries. Dale Kelly, a burglary suspect, had jumped 20ft in April 2016 during his attempt to escape arrest. On his fall, he was seriously injured including a broken back and a broken ankle. According to Mr Kelly, he had surrendered when Jackman assaulted him and instructed his dog to 'sick him'. The German Shepherd then allegedly bit Mr Kelly's leg down to the bone, causing further injury. 

 

Another incident Preston Crown Court heard involved the suspect lying on the ground when Jerry was instructed to detain and harm him. It has even been alleged that on one ocassion, Jackson had no lawful reason to arrest or detain a suspect.

 

The lead prosecutor on the case, Mr Sandiford argued: "He was in effect using gratuitous violence in order to satisfy those feelings of contempt or to teach the complainant a lesson for being a criminal, as Mr Jackson saw it."

 

Pc Paul Jackson denies any all allegations of assault and has stated that he had not set out to inflict harm on anyone. 

 

The case continues to be heard by Preston Crown Court. 

 

GV Hale & The Johnson Partnership

Doncaster Crime Solicitors