Inaccuracies are unfair (From South Wales Argus)
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Inaccuracies are unfair
2:31pm Friday 27th July 2012 in Letters
CARMEL Townsend needs to be a little more careful with her emotive bursts on these pages in relation to the Ian Tomlinson incident.
While the thrust of her letter is correct in the terms of policing by consent, and the accountability of the police service, her inaccuracies are staggeringly unfair.
Mr Tomlinson was NOT struck on the head, subsequently dying from his injuries as she stated: he was struck on the back of the legs and pushed to the ground Post-mortem examinations concluded that Ian Tomlinson had died from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma to the abdomen (the fall), in association with cirrhosis of the liver. The push to the ground MAY have contributed to the death and therefore the police officer was charged with manslaughter.
As is common with ANY accused, antecedents are generally withheld until after the verdict, and in this case, as with any other member of the public so accused, are disclosed following the verdict. The antecedents in this case did not even form part of a criminal record, but one of an internal disciplinary nature.
What is not in common with a member of the public – who once acquitted (by 12 members of the public) faces no further proceedings – the officer concerned will now be dealt with by internal disciplinary measures.
A Bond, Tramway Close, Cwmbran
Comments(2)
james jackson
says...
5:09pm Mon 30 Jul 12
Carmel Townsend said Mr Tomlinson was hit on the head, but even being hit on the leg and falling was enough to contribute to this man's death.
The policeman had many disciplinary breaches on his record, which weren't disclosed.
Don't defend the indefensible.
The Daily Mail, incidentally is a big supporter of the police, as is the Sun. Need we say more?
Chris 4 Gwent P&CC says...
7:58pm Sat 28 Jul 12
There are too many people reading the Daily Mail and feeling that all police officers should be subjected to summary flogging just because some allegation is made against them.
As you state the police are innocent until proven guilty ... unless they are found not guilty - as in the PC Tomlinson case - and then they are tried again with a such lower evidence level so the anti-police brigade can vilify someone for doing their job