Media News

Witnesses have stated that Kieran White, 18 was assaulted and tasered up to six times at Nettlefold Hall, West Norwood, on Thursday, 27 May by CO19 police officers. Kieran was on his way to a wake after attending a funeral where he mourned with friends and family over his murdered friend Wesley Sterling, 16.

Wesley was stabbed to death outside a 16th birthday party in Croydon Sports Arena on April 18.

A local newspaper has revealed how “horrified mourners, including Wesley’s relatives, watched on in disbelief as police kicked the unarmed teenager. They Tasered him and pushed him into a glass wall. Along with Mr White’s family, the witnesses said they would now make an official complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).”

Police are believed to have been responding to a call to Norwood Road at 8pm after receiving reports of a group of young men carrying a firearm.

Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant, of CO19, said multiple taserings occur following a “dynamic threat assessment” that concludes a suspect could access a weapon. But this contradicts eye witness accounts of what took place. Speaking to the media, youth worker Andrieus Sankufa-John, who observed the incident said “They Tasered him six times and kicked him in the head.”

Kieran who was unarmed, was arrested for public order offences and has denied charges of using threatening words and behaviour, and obstructing police.

Lorraine White, mother of the Taser victim, said she would make a compliant to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about police misconduct and the fact that her son did not receive medical assistance when he arrived at the police station despite evidence of burns on his body from the multiple high voltage assault.

However following the recent whitewash following similar police abuse cases such as the one involving Sgt Delroy Smellie, the officer who was acquitted of misconduct despite being filmed assaulting a G20 protester with a baton. Or the case of Frank Ogboru, where four police officers are captured on CCTV applying excessive pressure to his head and neck over a kerb causing his death. It remains highly unlikely that any officers will ever be brought to justice.