PC used Taser as he was too lazy to run, jury told

The jury in the trial of a Metropolitan Police officer who Tasered a suspected burglar who fell from a wall, suffering injuries that made him tetraplegic, has retired to consider its verdict.

Leonard Sandiford, who now uses a wheelchair, was running away from police in Woodford Green, east London, when he reached a cul-de-sac and climbed on an outbuilding and fell after being Tasered on 24 April 2022, Southwark Crown Court has heard.

PC Liam Newman, 31, denies grievous bodily harm against Sandiford.

Prosecution barrister Irshad Sheikh said the defendant fired not because he feared for his own safety or for anyone else's, but just to stop Sandiford from getting away.

He told the jury it was "lazy policing from him just because he did not want to chase after him" and the use of a Taser was "unreasonable and unlawful".

Newman and another officer had been responding to a report of attempted burglary.

Defence counsel Kevin Baumber said Newman's "motivation was one of public service" and he was acting with legitimate aims.

Baumber said Newman had no personal stake in the events of the night, no vendetta and had nothing to gain.

Newman's body-worn camera was switched on and Baumber told the jury they would have to consider whether he was trying to do his job "in good faith".

Newman has told the jurors he thought there was a high chance Sandiford was carrying a weapon and believed he was "protecting myself and protecting others".

He said: "My honest-held belief at the time from the previous incident further down the road is that he's willing to… in my opinion, he's trying to kill me, he's trying to hurt me, he's trying to seriously harm me."

The police officer told jurors that he had "no knowledge" of Sandiford but it was common for weapons, including acid or screwdrivers, to be carried by burglars.

The jury will resume deliberations on Tuesday at 10:00 GMT.

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