Met officer found guilty of assault after pepper spraying man climbing down a drain pipe

An investigation has found a Met officer guilty of assault after he pepper sprayed a man who was climbing down a drain pipe attempting to escape him.

Police Constable Luke Wenham, 31, attached to the Central South Basic Command Unit, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he was found guilty of two counts of common assault.

On August 17, 2022, PC Wenham was one of a team of officers who attended an address in Albert Barnes House in Arch Street, Elephant and Castle, to carry out an arrest inquiry for a man wanted on suspicion of robbery.

Police forced entry into the man’s flat, but he climbed out of a window and began to scale down a drainpipe which ran down the block of flats.

As he was climbing, PC Wenham leant out of a window and used PAVA spray, an incapacitant similar to pepper spray as it affects the eyes, causing severe pain and closure, on the man who continued to climb down the pipe.

Together with other officers, PC Wenham continued to chase the man, finding him on the balcony of another flat which he too climbed down. Again, PC Wenham sprayed PAVA at him.

When the police caught up with the man, he was arrested and later convicted of robbery, criminal damage and racially aggravated public order.

Following a review of PC Wenham’s actions, the case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which carried out an independent investigation.

He has been on restricted duties since the investigation started. Now that criminal matters have concluded misconduct proceedings will commence.

He is due to be sentenced on July 26.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, policing commander in Southwark and Lambeth, said: “Officers know that their actions will be held to account and where any use of force is deployed, must always consider whether it was necessary and proportionate to the circumstances.

“It is clear in this case that not only was PC Wenham’s response completely disproportionate to the situation he faced, but also by doing what he did, he put a member of public at risk of harm.

“PC Wenham has let down not only himself but many hardworking police colleagues who strive to improve trust and confidence with our communities.

“I am pleased that this matter was put before a jury to make a decision following a careful consideration of all the facts.”

(Picture: The Met)