G20 protest assault charge

A POLICE officer has been charged with assaulting a female protester during anti-G20 demonstrations in London earlier this year, prosecutors said yesterday.

Police Sergeant Delroy Smellie is accused of beating a woman during the protests in the City of London on April 2 as the leaders of the G20 nations gathered for an economic summit.

An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) watchdog after video footage came to light of an officer allegedly striking Nicola Fisher.

“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Police Sergeant Delroy Smellie with the offence of assault by beating Nicola Fisher,” a CPS spokesman said.

Smellie will appear before magistrates on November 16.

The Metropolitan Police said it took allegations against its staff very seriously, but it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific case.