Metropolitan Police Officer Convicted of Assaulting Teenager

An officer from the Metropolitan Police has been convicted of assault after striking a 16-year-old boy, who was experiencing mental health issues, “multiple times in the face” while he was being taken to a hospital. PC Sevda Gonen, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the accusation, asserting that her actions stemmed from a concern for the boy’s life during the transport on 13 November 2023. Conversely, the prosecution contended that “she allowed her frustrations to get the better of her.” Westminster Magistrates’ Court additionally convicted PC Gonen and fellow Met officer Stuart Price, 35, of conducting an unauthorized search, which constituted assault by beating. Their sentencing is scheduled for 24 January. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) indicated it is engaging with the Metropolitan Police concerning potential disciplinary actions. Law enforcement had initially responded to a report that the boy was aggressive at his residence and had behaved violently toward a mental health professional who was trying to conduct an evaluation. According to Prosecutor Lyndon Harris, PC Gonen, who is from Leytonstone, east London, had “formed the impression that he was wasting their time by faking some form of mental illness.” Price, residing in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, volunteered to transport the boy to the hospital in a police car after the boy’s mother expressed concerns about her son’s well-being to the officers. The court was informed that the boy subsequently entered the police vehicle but kept his foot outside, thereby obstructing the rear door from closing. Video evidence from inside the police vehicle depicted the boy lighting and beginning to smoke a cigarette. It was revealed in court that following a struggle, the boy was handcuffed and searched, though he was not formally arrested. The prosecution asserted that the search was illegal because the boy had not been taken into custody. Bodyworn camera footage presented in court captured Price informing Gonen: “Just to let you know he’s been spitting in my face.” The court was told that Gonen stated she was concerned about the boy spitting and consequently placed a coat collar near his mouth. The boy’s gaze dropped, and he appeared less responsive, at which point Price was heard on the footage remarking: “You alright, mate? We’re just trying to help you, mate.” Price subsequently commented to Gonen: “Yeah, he’s hot to touch.” Additional footage presented to the court showed Gonen seemingly slapping the boy’s face multiple times while grasping his hair, which caused his eyes to flicker. When explaining her conduct, Gonen informed the court: “Any time there was a concern for his life, I decided the best course of action was to gently slap him on his cheeks.” She further stated: “At that moment in time I thought I was saving somebody’s life. I thought I was preventing a medical emergency from occurring.” Judge Briony Clarke noted that, by her calculation, the boy was slapped 16 times. The judge also expressed her view that it was evident Gonen believed the boy was “faking it” and subsequently “sought to explain her behaviour by reference to a known medical condition suggested to her at the time by another colleague.” The Metropolitan Police had previously referred this matter to the IOPC in December of last year. Mel Palmer, IOPC regional director, commented: “Police officers must have a lawful reason for detaining and searching any member of the public and all officers are aware that they must provide individuals with certain information during a search.” Palmer added: “These officers made no effort to explain their actions and in fact, both gave the IOPC different accounts as to what powers they were performing the search under. Today a judge has found that the search of the child was unlawful.” She concluded: “Additionally, PC Gonen’s actions in slapping the child to check he was conscious is not an approved method and was found to be a further unlawful use of force.”