West Yorkshire Police officer charged with assault over incident in Leeds
He is accused of kicking a man in the head during an arrest
A West Yorkshire Police officer has been charged with assault over allegations he used excessive force during a man’s arrest in Leeds.
PC James Barnes, 30, faces one count of actual bodily harm (ABH) against a man who was arrested on September 28 last year.
It follows an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said “PC Barnes and another WYP officer had approached the driver of a car who they suspected to be driving while intoxicated.
“After leading the suspected drink driver away from the vehicle, a passenger got out the car and began to walk away.
“Shortly after, the other WYP officer took the passenger to the ground before PC Barnes allegedly kicked the man in the head. The man appeared to lose consciousness for several minutes.”
PC Barnes, who is based at the Carr Gate Operations Complex in Wakefield, is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court for a first appearance on Wednesday (August 12).
The charge follows a mandatory conduct referral made by WYP to the IOPC on September 29 last year.
The force has confirmed PC Barnes is currently suspended from duty.