Pc punched boy 'in self-defence'

Daniel Gaffney has pleaded not guilty to assault

A police officer has admitted punching a 12-year-old boy, but said he was acting in self-defence.

Pc Daniel Gaffney, 30, of Greater Manchester Police is on trial before Warrington magistrates accused of assault at Didsbury police station.

Mr Gaffney, of Greater Manchester Police, said he thought he was about to be attacked while searching the boy who claimed he had a gun down his trousers.

The boy, now aged 13, had been arrested after threatening care home staff.

Mr Gaffney was putting the boy in a cell on 10 November last year when the boy raised his arm at the officer, Warrington Magistrates' Court heard.

The officer initially said the boy fell and banged his face but he later admitted punching the boy, who has nine convictions - seven for assault and two for affray.

I punched him once. I was afraid for myself Daniel Gaffney

Footage was shown to the court of a video interview with police taken several days after the alleged assault.

In it the boy has a large black eye.

After refusing to co-operate, he tells the interviewing officer: "His hand connected with my nose and eye. It hurt, it hurt my nose and eye.

"My eye was bruised and I couldn't see out of it. The other one was OK.

"The back of my head had hit the wall and I had beeping in my ears."

A colleague of Gaffney told the court he has only ever known the defendant, of Northwich, Cheshire, deal with suspects professionally.

'First reaction'

Jayne La Grua, prosecuting, said: "Effectively, the Crown's case is this defendant lost his temper."

In interview with police professional standards, the accused said he did not know how old the boy was.

He said: "I punched him once, I was afraid for myself.

"It was my first reaction."

The hearing was adjourned until 25 July at Runcorn Magistrates' Court when the defence will begin its case.