Court: Cells assault complainer on ‘most wanted list’.

Retired police officer denies striking prisoner

The alleged victim of an assault while in police custody was on a “most wanted” list at the time, a court heard yesterday.

Retired Sergeant David Black appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court charged with grabbing John Brand by the throat and striking his face with a knee in the cells of Arbroath Police Station in 2013.

The 49-year-old is standing trial over two charges of assault against Mr Brand on October 10 that year.

The court previously heard that Mr Brand had been arrested and brought to the Gravesend station around 2am, and was restrained at the charge bar before being taken to his cell.

At 6am he was visited by two police officers in the cell – including Black – where the alleged assault occurred.

“Mr Brand had been on our division’s most wanted list in relation to domestic crime, crimes of violence towards women he was wanted in connection with,” he said.

Asked by the depute fiscal whether Black wanted to “sort out” Mr Brand, he said: “I did not seize or hold Mr Brand by the throat or neck at any point.”

Black, who retired in July this year and said he was “prevented” from returning to operational policing after the incident, is also accused of going back into the cell and striking the prisoner with his knee.

The former officer said he returned to the cell after he heard Mr Brand make threats about his family.

On the alleged kneeing incident, Black said he made a “reactive” movement with his left leg to protect his groin from a headbutt.

“If there was contact, it will have been the lightest of contact,” he said.

Black, whose address in court papers is given as c/o the Police Service of Scotland, denies the charges.

The trial continues.