Somerset police officer charged after tasering wrong man

Somerset police officer charged after tasering wrong man

A female police officer who allegedly shot her own force's race relations adviser in the face with a taser has been charged with assault.   

PC Claire Boddie, 47, allegedly tasered Avon and Somerset Police's race relations advisor Judah Adunbi in a case of mistaken identity during a confrontation on January 14.

A neighbour filmed an eight-minute video which sparked a 'Justice for Judah' campaign in the Easton neighbourhood of Bristol.

PC Claire Boddie, 47, right, has been charged with assault after she allegedly shot  Avon and Somerset Police's race relations advisor Judah Adunbi in the face with her taser

Mr Adunbi was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer on January 14, but the prosecution was dropped two days later 

Initially Mr Adunbi, 63, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and charged, but the prosecution was dropped two days later.

After an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether criminal charges should be pressed against the officer.

PC Boddie has been summonsed to appear before magistrates in Taunton, Somerset, accused of common assault on August 14.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: 'An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation concluded in June and a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The 63-year-old, pictured (left) with his dog Hazel and (right) at a community event, helped set up an advisory group to help police with race relations

Mr Adunbi is one of the founders of the Independent Advisory Group set up by the police

Mr Adunbi (left) is well-known in his area having organised a number of community events

Mr Adunbi was questioned outside his home in January by officers searching for a suspect

After he was tasered, Mr Adunbi was restrained and arrested before the prosecution against him was dropped. The entire incident was captured by a neighbour on his camera phone

'The CPS decided there was sufficient evidence and it was in the public interest to charge the officer.

'The IPCC began an investigation after the police force voluntarily referred a complaint about the incident, during which a 63-year-old man was Tasered.'

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: 'The IPCC has confirmed that one officer will face a criminal charge of assault following an incident involving a 63-year-old man in Bristol in January.

'Now criminal proceedings have started, this prevents us from commenting further on the circumstances surrounding this matter, other than to reiterate that we're continuing to fully cooperate with the IPCC as their investigation progresses.

'Chief Constable Andy Marsh has made clear from the start of this investigation that we will discuss the matter fully and publicly once the investigation has concluded.'

Mr Adunbi, who is a grandfather-of-three, helped found an Independent Advisory Group between police and Bristol's black community.

Police guidelines on using tasers

Taser stun guns were first introduced by police forces in 2004. 

The 50,000 volt weapons operate by delivering a jolt of electricity which incapacitate suspects. 

Guidelines from the College of Police state: 'Where circumstances permit, officers should give a clear warning of their intent to use the Taser.

'They should give sufficient time for the warning to be heeded, unless to do so would unduly place any person at risk, or would be clearly inappropriate or pointless in the circumstances of the incident. 

'Officers shall give the clear verbal warning, 'Taser, Taser', indicating to all persons in the vicinity that Taser is being discharged.

'All officers should receive training in communicating with subjects. On first verbal contact, officers should normally:

'Where weapons are fitted with torches or laser sights, officers should consider the effects of their use during any confrontation.'

 It emerged last month that police are considering bringing in 'two-shot' tasers to allow officers to fire at two targets, or offer officers a second chance of incapacitating a suspect without reloading. 

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