BARNET: 'Police threw me to the floor for nothing' (From This Is Local London)

BARNET: 'Police threw me to the floor for nothing'

12:01pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

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A partially deaf man claims police unfairly and violently arrested him at a Tube station last week.

Jamie Waters, 40, of Belle Vue Estate, Hendon, claims he was thrown to the ground and sat upon by officers, tightly handcuffed and strapped around his legs during an arrest at Hendon Central Tube station. He was later released without charge, but fined £80 for disorder.

The father-of-one was returning from a custody hearing regarding his daughter, in Chancery Lane, at about 5pm on Monday when he became trapped in the ticket gates after his Oyster card failed to register.

He said that because of his hearing impairment he did not hear if the gate had bleeped to let him through and followed the person in front.

Following a check by an inspector, he was allowed to scan his pass again and move on.

Already distressed after the court hearing, he said he started walking away crying when police officers called after him.

“They were calling me back but I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong and I just wanted to go home,” said Mr Waters. “The officer just had it in his blood to stop me.”

According to police, he tried to run away and swore at them, so had to be restrained.

The former lorry driver, who receives incapacity benefit and counselling after he was involved in a non-fatal crash involving a young girl three years ago, said: “I am not a violent person. I was just going about my daily life, but they targeted me and wanted to make a point not to mess with the law.

“They came after me and threw me to the ground. People were walking past and looking at me being sat on. They seemed concerned but the police kept telling them to carry on walking.”

He claims officers lifted him into a police van, drag-ged him into the back, ripping his shirt, and drove him to Colindale police station.

“They were carrying me like a log and stood me up in front of the sergeant like a wooden post,” he added. “I have never been so humiliated in all my life and I’m so scared of the police being around me now.”

He was released from his cuffs and leg straps after 45 minutes, but remained in a cell until almost midnight.

A police spokesman said: “He was challenged by TfL staff for not validating his travel card. He was unco-operative and tried to run away, shouting and swearing, and had to be restrained.

“He is welcome to make a complaint if he feels the action was excessive.”

Mr Waters, who has so far refused to pay the fixed penalty notice, sought medical and legal advice and intends to make a claim of police brutality.

He said: “I have been to the doctor and I am still in so much pain.

“I hope my daughter never has to see me in the state I was in.”

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