Met constable cleared of assaulting woman over fare evasion incident

A Met Constable has today had his criminal conviction for assaulting a woman during a fare evasion incident quashed on appeal.

PC Perry Lathwood, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, was convicted of common assault on May 17, following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. 

The conviction related to an incident in Croydon in June 2023, where a woman who had been traveling on a bus was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion. 

A video of the incident was shared online, attracting significant public interest.

PC Lathwood appealed his conviction. 

Today, at Southwark Crown Court, his appeal was upheld and his conviction quashed. 

Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “I recognise that this incident has divided opinions. The impact it had, particularly on black communities in Croydon and further afield, was significant.

“However, PC Lathwood has now been cleared by the criminal courts and that decision must be respected.

“We accept this incident was not handled perfectly and there is valuable learning to be taken from it. However we believe that could have been done through police misconduct mechanisms, not the courts.

“Officers do not shy away from scrutiny and recognise the importance of independent oversight.

“We will continue to push for a system of police accountability that officers can have confidence in – one which properly recognises the very challenging role they perform and the requirement on them to make fast decisions under pressure.”

PC Lathwood remains on restricted duties pending the outcome of the misconduct process, the Met said.

(Picture: The Met)