A police officer has been acquitted of assault charges after using a Taser on a suspected burglar, leading to the individual falling from a wall and sustaining severe injuries. Leonard Sandiford, 61, fell from a building when he was tasered by Police Constable Liam Newman in east London. Despite the incident, Metropolitan Police’s Pc Newman, 31, was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Expressing regret for the harm caused, Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, in charge of policing in Redbridge, conveyed sympathy for Mr. Sandiford’s life-altering injuries. The incident occurred when Mr. Sandiford, fleeing from the police, climbed onto a building in the early hours of April 24, 2022, after an attempted burglary report in Woodford Green.
Mr. Sandiford sustained spinal cord injuries after being tasered and falling from a height of 5 to 6 feet, leaving him tetraplegic and reliant on a wheelchair. Following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation, Pc Newman denied the charges of grievous bodily harm on November 20, 2024.
Acknowledging community concerns, Chief Superintendent Bell emphasized the importance of reviewing Taser use and providing ongoing training to ensure appropriate tactics. Pc Newman has been on restricted duties since the incident, with the Metropolitan Police planning to coordinate with the IOPC on any misconduct proceedings.
During the trial, the prosecution criticized Newman’s actions as unnecessary, while the defense argued that he was acting in the public’s interest. Newman’s body-worn camera footage was shown in court, depicting the events leading up to Mr. Sandiford’s fall. Newman maintained that he believed Mr. Sandiford posed a threat, justifying his actions to protect himself and others.