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Caught on CCTV: Soldier returns from Afghanistan to be beaten up by police

Sunday, 30 November 2008

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An investigation has been launched into two police officers and a special constable who were caught on camera attacking a soldier.

CCTV footage shows Lance Corporal Mark Aspinall being punched on the floor by one officer while under restraint from two others.

Mr Aspinall, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was set upon after a night out in his home town of Wigan, Lancashire, in July.

He was then charged and convicted on two counts of attacking police officers - until last week when he won an appeal at Liverpool Crown Court.

The turnaround has sparked an investigation with one officer's duties already restricted.

^{Video source: YouTube/Sunday Mirror}

Terry Sweeney, Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said tonight: "Greater Manchester Police's professional standards branch is investigating the conduct of the officers on the Wigan division.

"One officer has had his duties restricted and other two are being investigated.

"The matter has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but an independent complaint has also been made."

An IPCC spokesman said the investigation would be conducted under the watchdog's "management, direction and control".

The CCTV begins with Mr Aspinall - who admits he was drunk - standing unsteadily in the street and calling to the officers.

The trio run 10ft across the road at him and he falls over but jumps up.

An officer is seen rugby tackling the 24-year-old who is pinned down by two officers while the third punches him several times.

Mr Aspinall, who returned from Afghanistan in February and was working his notice in the Army at the time of the attack, told the Sunday Mirror: "I went into the Army thinking this country was worth fighting for.

"I put my life on the line every day in Afghanistan, so to come back and be treated like this for no reason was just so depressing."

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24 Comments

All i saw in this video was a drunken squadie giving abuse of some kind and it looks as though he's probably been swearing and given a final warning, which he's ignored so been arrested for a public order offence. And since the "brave hero soldier" is probably very strong, the coppers need to rush him. The only thing i saw in that video that was questionable was the face grazing against the floor.

Posted by John | 16.12.08, 22:26 GMT

You people think thats police brutality? LMFAO he had a couple of scrapes and bruises. Come to the US! The cops here will bust your eye socket, beat up bartenders for not serving them drinks, and then charge you with a crime...and those are just what they do to women! The men, they just shoot, or stab in the ass with a baton.

Posted by Greg | 09.12.08, 23:03 GMT

What was all that about the police ask for the public to help and stand by them then they do something like that the only time i see that is when people fight on a night out at the weekend not by the police. They should be kicked off the force and put in prison he was a british soldier like i am and we see and put up with a lot the last thing we want is to come home and get beaten by our own police seeing this i have no respect of the police now.

Posted by jason | 04.12.08, 23:43 GMT

Dismissal is not enough, these officers should be put forward for assault.

Posted by matthew jones | 04.12.08, 18:57 GMT

Send those "brave" policemen over to Afghanistan

Posted by Brian Crozier | 04.12.08, 01:41 GMT

These 3 police people have to be dismissed right now!! What investigation?? It is all there for the world to see, police brutality at its worst. The lad was clearly drunk. They should have talked to him, and calmed him down, not visciously beat him like a dog. As well as being sacked, they should pay compensation to the fellow. I like most people am disgusted by this behaviour, of what is supposed to be the finest police force in the world. How can the expect respect from the public???.

Posted by maurice | 03.12.08, 16:47 GMT

this goes on all the time this brave officer and two mates beating up a soldier unwinding from active service they acted in a way our soldiersare trained not to do COWARDS SHOLD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES I WILL REMEMBER THEIR FACES FOR EVER

Posted by KEN CROFT | 02.12.08, 20:16 GMT

Probably thought he was still in Iraq or Afghanistan. Why did he run? Notice the technique he uses to prevent the Officers from restraining him. Wonder who taught him that?
This is the type of yob Police Officers have to deal with every night.

Posted by Seán | 02.12.08, 19:00 GMT

Whilst I can appreciate that the police do have a hard job there is no excuse for this abuse of power. I fear that this is not an isolated incident and I'm certain that had there been no CCTV footage to support the claims of the HERO SOLDIER these thugs dressed as police officers would have gotton away with this. Let's be honest here who is in a position to refute the word of an officer as they are seen as model citizens. I hope this case goes some way to introducing ways that the police can be policed. Some may say that this would not be neccesary. I say take another look at this video.

Posted by David Acquah | 02.12.08, 17:07 GMT

How can we find out what happened to the police, have they been punished? They should not be on restriced duty they should be in prison for assault. They could have killed this man. It was not self defence. He did not raise a hand to them. It was an an attack by people who we are supposed to trust. Every good copper should make sure this scum does not disgrace a police uniform again.

Posted by Kath | 02.12.08, 14:56 GMT

Jail them ! Like the cowards they are , they can only attack a single person .

Posted by Billy McVitie | 01.12.08, 21:53 GMT

This was absolutely sickening to watch. It was so out of control. I just hope these policemen are put in jail with other criminals - because that's really what they are. As if this guy hasn't been through enough already in Afghanistan, he should take these coppers all the road.
It's unprofessional policemen like these who put the force into disrepute - so it's no wonder people today have no respect for them.

Posted by Lee-Anne | 01.12.08, 21:24 GMT

there's too many drunks on the street. people cant handle their drink...end of story. how many tales of assaults and anti-social behaviour have you heard of on friday nights? Absolutely stacks of them. "don't arrest me, i'm a hero" change the tune please!

Posted by Greg | 01.12.08, 19:59 GMT

It was good fortune that this soldier did not participate in the recent welcome home parade, or the Police would have had their hands full. Not the greatest example of Britain's finest.

Posted by Bernard Vaughan | 01.12.08, 17:04 GMT

these so called police officers are a dissgrace only this lad was a soldier you wouldnt have heard anything about it, this type of thing happens on a daily basis.they should be sacked and banged up we would soon see how hard they were three grown puddings beating up one man and a drunk man who is in no state to protect himself. name and shame the three of them bullies.

Posted by mike wilkinson | 01.12.08, 15:47 GMT

Disgraceful! Having seen this thing happen quite a few times (although more times across the water than here) I suppose the cops were counting on their being "no tape in the video camera" -as they usually do after they have beaten up a member of the public.

Surely the police should be tought that we are paying customers for their service, and that if they want our respect, they should show us some in return.

Posted by Paul | 01.12.08, 15:41 GMT

There is no room in ANY police force for hooligans such as this. They besmirch the good works other police officers do and who abide by the rules. He didnot need to be restrained, as someone has already said, as he was not interfering with any actions, on the evidence of the video. He probably said something that probably upset them, shame, but that's life in the police force and if they can't hack it - get out! Their response was personal and not professional and as such they should be held to account to the current laws of the land, never mind just lose their jobs. They have betrayed public trust and as such now be serving time! On the whole, I have to say that having worked with GMC police as a member of the emergency services for may years I have found them to be professional and dedicated people with a few exceptions, so I have found this case to be thoroughly shocking as would most of the officers I have worked with!

Posted by Steve | 01.12.08, 12:40 GMT

Welcome to the machine.

Posted by Brock Lesnar | 01.12.08, 11:40 GMT

Big Deal, this is how the nationalists/catholics have been treated in the North of Ireland for many years...

Posted by phat tony | 01.12.08, 11:23 GMT

I don't agree at all with what happened to this man - these officers were totally out of order and should be dealt with accordingly.

Not in justification at all but I thought it was interesting to read... "...to come back and be treated like this for no reason was just so depressing."... considering Mr Aspinal allegedly admitted to shouting abuse at the officers and not "...calling to them".

Nevertheless, as hard as it is, they should have rose above it. Look where its got them.

Posted by Tracey | 01.12.08, 11:09 GMT