A plainclothed police constable kicked an arrested man's head “like a football” while he was being restrained by four officers, a court heard.

PC Edward Prince, 31, is accused of assaulting Downham man Nyron Games, following a chase on foot along Brighton Road, Purley, on November 6, 2009.

At Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, prosecutor Sam Brown, said: “The defendant kicked Nyron Games to the head in what the Crown will say were circumstances in which it was completely unnecessary for him so to do.”

Giving evidence against her colleague PC Tina Bassett said: “I could not believe what I saw.

“What I saw was completely against all ethics of being a police officer.”

PC Bassett told the court she was in Brighton Road when she saw officers pursuing Mr Games, who was taken down with a baton to the leg.

She said four officers were restraining him when a plain clothes officer ran over and kicked Mr Games in the head.

She said: “I would describe it as kicking a football with some force.”

She told the court the plain clothes officer then began provoking Mr Games, saying “If this was not on CCTV you would have got worse”.

The plain clothes officer then said: “You deserved what you got.”

The court heard how PC Bassett, Police Sergeant Hart and PC Thompson had gone to an address in Croydon believed to be that of Mr Games’ girlfriend after he had failed to comply with his bail conditions following a deportation order.

When they arrived, Mr Games fled on foot in the direction of the Purley Way recycling centre, and the officers gave chase.

Mr Games, of Farmfield Road, Downham, was taken by ambulance to hospital where he required stitches for cuts on his face.

Elroy Claxton, defending PC Prince, told the court PC Bassett had misinterpreted the scene.

He told the court Mr Games had been deliberately banging his head in the pavement and a fellow plain clothes officer asked PC Prince to assist.

He said PC Prince ran over to support Mr Games’ head and when he subsequently offered first aid, Mr Games refused and was abusive.

PC Prince denies causing Mr Games actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.