Wiltshire Sergeant Sentenced To 6 Months

Tue, 07 September 2010 Courtesy of: Ananova

A woman injured by a policeman as he threw her into a cell has slammed his six-month jail term, telling Sky News it "doesn't seem fair".

Sergeant Mark Andrews was caught on CCTV dragging Pamela Somerville, 59, across the floor of Melksham police station in Wiltshire before shoving her into the cell.

Former soldier Andrews was given six months in prison after being convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm.

“The officer let the public down, he let his colleagues down and he has let himself down”

Ms Somerville told Sky: "What I found the most distressing was when I heard he was sentenced to six months in jail and could be out in three months.

"I've had a sentence for two years after what's happened to me and it really doesn't seem fair.

"If he had been a member of the public that had assaulted me in that way, I think he would have got a greater sentence."

Ms Somerville was arrested in July 2008 after being found asleep in her car.

She was detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test.

The CCTV footage showed her lying on the floor for a minute before struggling to get up with blood pouring from a head wound.

She told Sky News that Andrews was "extremely aggressive" and said he had repeatedly told her to "shut up".

"All he seemed to say was 'shut up, shut up, shut up', with other adjectives in front of shut up," she said.

"I was terrified on the way to the police station and when I got into the custody suite, I thought it would be sorted out."

She added: "I thought they must have mistaken me for somebody who had done some terrible crime. Whatever crime you have done or haven't done, is this what happens in police cells?"

Ms Somerville was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath and needed stitches in a gash above her eye.

She went on: "I'm left with having to have an operation on my eye and other surgery on my eye because of what happened, and I'm losing my sight in my left eye."

Asked if she had a message for Andrews, she said: "I would like him to say he is sorry."

The 37-year-old police officer was suspended on full pay after his conviction at Oxford Magistrates' Court.

Passing sentence, Deputy District Judge Peter Greenfield said Andrews had abused his position of trust and only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

He said: "In my view, you presided over an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation upon Ms Somerville which culminated in the cell later that morning."

The judge continued: "I regard that a gross breach of trust placed upon you by Ms Somerville.

"I consider that right-thinking members of the public will be appalled and totally saddened by your actions as a police officer."

Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Geenty of Wiltshire Police said: "I fully support the comments of the judge and the sentence handed down today.

"The officer let the public down, he let his colleagues down and he has let himself down. He was a disgrace."

He added: "Custody is a difficult place to work and the officers who worked in those circumstances day in day out generally do an excellent job.

"And national inspections have said Wiltshire Police treat people with respect and dignity.

"Sadly on this occasion, this officer did not provide that level of care and for that I apologise."

Andrews, wearing a dark suit, was led from the court in handcuffs by two dock officers.

Jeremy Barton, defending Andrews, immediately submitted papers for an appeal.