Glasgow Crime Research

Herald Scotland

 PC 'wrong to have hit Ian Tomlinson' THE police officer accused of the manslaughter of Ian Tomlinson said he accepted that he was "wrong" to have hit and pushed him.

Continuing his evidence at Southwark Crown Court, PC Simon Harwood said if he had realised Mr Tomlinson was walking away from police lines he "would not have gone near him".

Harwood hit Mr Tomlinson with a baton and pushed him to the ground during the G20 protests in the City of London in April 2009.

The father-of-nine walked 75 yards before he collapsed and later died.

In cross-examination yesterday, Mark Dennis QC asked Harwood: "You do now accept that what you did in relation to Mr Tomlinson was wrong?"

Harwood replied: "Like I said, now I do, but not at the time."

He went on: "Now I've seen all the evidence and I know how poorly Mr Tomlinson was I'm sorry that I got involved."

Harwood, 45, from Carshalton in Surrey, denies manslaughter on the grounds that he used reasonable force.

Mr Tomlinson was walking away from police lines when he was hit, but at the time Harwood said he thought he was being deliberately obstructive.

The trial continues.