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Man in custody escaped whilst officers watched TV and chatted
07/03/2022
Suspected drug dealer absconded during trip to hospital despite officers being told to watch him “like a hawk”
A man escaped from police custody whilst the officers who were supposed to be overseeing him watched TV, chatted and used their phones. PC Lydia Jackson and PC Rob Lawton had taken the suspected drug dealer to the Horton General Hospital on 14 April 2021 after he claimed to have sustained injuries, including a broken finger.
At a misconduct meeting held on February 28 a panel heard that before they left the police station the officers had been briefed on the need to maintain a constant visual observation on the detainee. Whilst at the hospital they received further information and were told that he must be “watched like a hawk.”
At around 1:30am the officers were positioned on seating in front of the arrested man, but facing away from him. They didn’t monitor him but instead watched television, talked amongst themselves, and used their mobile phones. Eight minutes later the man stood up and absconded from the officers.
Following this PC Lawton was placed on restricted duties at Upper Heyford. He attended an ‘On call’ training day on June 30 during which he used derogatory language to describe colleagues. He stated he was losing money as a result of the restrictions and bemoaned “two perfectly good officers being wasted at Upper Heyford”.
At the misconduct hearing both officers received a Final Written Warning which lasts for 5 years. PC Lawton was also asked to utilise reflective practice to consider his interaction with others.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam