Crime Desk

 A Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of  common assault in an incident where a teenager was pushed through a shop window.

16 year old, Onkeya Obi was on his way home after celebrating a birthday with a group of friends in Bromley. Police were called to Bromley High Street at around 11.30pm after an argument broke out between the bus driver and the group of friends.

Police constable Marcus Ballards, 29 who was on duty for the MPS's Territorial Support Group (TSG) on Bromley High Street arrived at the scene to assist in the incident by Borough officers, but was informed by the officers ‘their help was not required but should remain in the area after two woman complained of Onkeya and a friend walking behind them .Ballard then proceeded to stop and search the boys.

CCTV footage of the investigation from the High Street that showed the ‘boy stood with his hands in his pocket before Ballard grabbed his arm to turn him around, grabbing his jacket, and forcibly pushing him backwards in a whiplash force towards a shop window’ said a witness.
IPCC police commissioner, Mike Franklin said; "As a police officer PC Ballard is entitled to use force where necessary to defend himself and members of the public. However, the CCTV and witness evidence clearly shows he had no need to be aggressive - the teenager posed no threat to him or others. PC Ballard is due to be sentenced on Friday at The City of Westminster’s magistrate’s court.