‘ Man resisted arrest in Kenmure Street protest’, city court hears
A MAN resisted arrest at a mass protest outside an immigration van, a trial has heard.
Kairos Pakleppa, 33, allegedly committed the offence on Kenmure Street in Glasgow’s Pollokshields on May 13, 2021.
An officer claimed Pakleppa tried to get under a car that was to be uplifted which was parked 10 metres from the immigration van. He added that Pakleppa then attempted to get past him and colleagues before resisting arrest.
The witness stated Pakleppa made efforts to drop to the ground and made his legs go soft. Pakleppa pleaded not guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
He also denies a charge of resisting, obstructing or hindering police officers in the execution of their duty.
The court heard from constable Andrew Hamilton who stated that officers were “outnumbered” by 200 protesters at an immigration van during a “large scale disturbance”.
PC Hamilton stated that there was a car obstructing the road near the immigration van which was going to be uplifted by a recovery truck.
The officer claimed he was situated in a lane of colleagues at the car. He stated that he had to tell a number of protesters to “get back”.
The trial heard Pakleppa was “running up at us, trying to get past us at leg level, trying to get under the vehicle”.
The officer added that he pushed Pakleppa a minimum of three or four times.
PC Hamilton stated that this was in line with his police safety training.
The fiscal asked: “Why did you feel the need to push him?”
PC Hamilton replied: “If I didn’t, he would have got past me.”
The officer then told the court that he arrested Pakleppa. The fiscal asked how this was done.
PC Hamilton replied: “He tried to run at us to get past us – myself and a colleague took control of him.
“I took control of one of his arms with two hands – my colleague was on the other side.”
The officer stated Pakleppa pulled away and shouted towards them.
He added that they had to take a tighter grip before Pakleppa tried to drop to the floor and made his legs go soft.
The officer stated that people were shouting and swearing but nobody approached him.
PC Hamilton said he took Pakleppa to a cell van.
He stated: “He resisted, he got to the floor and made his legs go soft.”
The fiscal depute asked:
“From the period you were there at Kenmure Street, what was your primary task?”
The officer replied: “To ensure the safety of the people in the immigration van.”
The fiscal asked: “How would you describe your actions?”
PC Hamilton said: “Proportionate and justified.”
The trial continues next month before Sheriff Mark Maguire.
Pakleppa, of London, remains ordained meantime.