Wigan assault case policemen retrained

The two officers were removed from their duties in June 2007

Two policemen cleared of assaulting a man and blinding him in one eye during an arrest must undergo fresh training.

Sgt Paul Jackson and Pc Michael Prendergast were charged with assault on a 43-year-old man in Wigan in 2007.

But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was instructed not to proceed with the case by a Liverpool Crown Court judge.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has now said the pair must be retrained and pass exams before resuming operational duties.

The man suffered a broken leg, a fractured cheekbone and lost his right eye in the incident in Higher Ince.

The IPCC said its investigation highlighted "real concerns" about the force used by the officers.

'Excessive force'

Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner, said: "This particular incident involved a man who was experiencing a mental health episode and displaying extreme behaviour due to the consumption of drugs.

"But the force used by the officers in dealing with the incident resulted in him losing an eye and sustaining other serious injuries. The evidence collected as part of our investigation supports the view that excessive force was used."

Both officers are to undergo "formal advice and refresher training" in self-defence techniques and the principles of the use of force.

They will need to pass written and practical exams before being put back on operational duties. Their use of force will be monitored for 12 months by the IPCC.

The IPCC said a disciplinary hearing cannot go ahead due to issues surrounding the man's statement.

'Hostile situation'

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "GMP agree with the findings of the IPCC report and regret the serious injuries that this man suffered.

"We must however take into account the volatile and hostile situation that the officers were faced with on that night.

"This however, does not excuse the fact that this man suffered serious injuries and as a result we immediately removed these officers from frontline operational duties following the incident in June 2007.

"Because the other proceedings were not an option we concluded the case with the recommendations that the officers would receive formal advice and retraining prior to returning to operational duties. The IPCC fully agreed and supported this decision."