Perry Lathwood, the Met police constable at the centre of a race row when a black mum was arrested in a dispute over fare evasion at a bus stop on Whitehorse Road, Croydon, last year, has had his assault conviction quashed.
Quashed: Met PC Perry Lathwood at his trial in May
Despite the conviction after a criminal trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in May, PC Lathwood has continued to work for the police in Croydon, albeit on “restricted duties”.
Scotland Yard issued a statement this afternoon which said: “PC Perry Lathwood, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, was convicted of common assault on May 17 following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
“The conviction related to an incident in June 2023 in Croydon where a woman who had been travelling on a bus was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion. A video of the incident was shared online, attracting significant public interest.
“PC Lathwood appealed his conviction. On Friday, September 13, at Southwark Crown Court, his appeal was upheld and his conviction quashed.”
The Metropolitan Police’s statement failed to provide any insight into what evidence was given by Lathwood that demonstrated that he had not committed the assault of which he had previously been convicted.
Matt Twist, the Met’s Assistant Commissioner, had said after Lathwood’s conviction that it was a “huge setback to our ability to rebuild trust with Londoners”.
Today, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “I recognise that this incident has divided opinions. The impact it had, particularly on black communities in Croydon and further afield, was significant.
“However, PC Lathwood has now been cleared by the criminal courts and that decision must be respected.
‘Incident not handled perfectly’: the Met’s AC Louisa Rolfe
“We accept this incident was not handled perfectly and there is valuable learning to be taken from it. However, we believe that could have been done through police misconduct mechanisms, not the courts.
“Officers do not shy away from scrutiny and recognise the importance of independent oversight.
“We will continue to push for a system of police accountability that officers can have confidence in – one which properly recognises the very challenging role they perform and the requirement on them to make fast decisions under pressure.”
According to the police, “PC Lathwood remains on restricted duties pending the outcome of the misconduct process.”
Read more: Community groups demand dismissal of convicted Met officer
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What idiot in the CPS authorised the prosecution of this officer, I thought the womans behaviour was reprehensible.It was clearly a very prejudiced prosecution from the outset and I don’t suppose this officer will ever arrest a person like this again.
I saw the video and all the woman was asked to do was show a valid ticket to travel, which she was in possession of. For some reason she was reluctant to produce it. She was fortunate not to have been charged with wasting police time.