Officer jailed for police cell assault on woman

A police sergeant who injured a woman when he assaulted her in a cell was jailed for six months today.

Sgt Mark Andrews was caught on CCTV dragging Pamela Somerville, 59, across the floor of Melksham police station in Wiltshire before shoving her into the cell.

Ms Somerville was arrested in July 2008 after being found asleep in her car. She was detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test.

The CCTV footage shows her lying on the floor for a minute before struggling to get up with blood pouring from a head wound.

Former soldier Andrews was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm after a trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court in July.

The 37-year-old, who was suspended on full pay after his conviction, was sentenced today at the same court.

Ms Somerville was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath and needed stitches in a gash above her eye.