22/05/2012

Riot Policeman In Court On Racist Charges

A Metropolitan Police officer has denied racially abusing a suspect during the riots in London last summer.

PC Alex McFarlane was suspended from service after allegedly using a racist term towards a suspect, who filmed it on his mobile phone.

The 52-year-old officer appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and entered a not guilty plea to charges of intending to cause harassment, alarm or distress and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He was released on bail until 29 June when he is due to go on trial at Southwark Crown Court.

He was charged after a prosecutors’ U-turn hinging on mobile phone footage, allegedly taken by Mauro Demetrio, from Beckton, east London, last August.

In the footage, PC McFarlane is alleged to say: “The problem with you is, you will always be a n*****, yeah?”

Mr Demetrio, 21, was held on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, but no action was taken.

The decision to prosecute came after the police watchdog announced a review of a string of complaints about racism at the Metropolitan Police.

Alison Saunders, chief prosecutor for London, said: "When a review shows a previous decision not to prosecute is wrong, it is open to the CPS to rectify that error by bringing new proceedings."

(NE)

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