Pc described as ‘bully in uniform’ smashed man’s windscreen
A POLICE officer described as a “bully in uniform” used a knife to smash an innocent man’s windscreen after he mistook him for a drug dealer, a court heard.
Pc Joshua Savage, 28, allegedly attacked Leon Fontana’s Ford Fiesta with a baton before cutting smashed glass with a lock knife on Sept 16 2016, Southwark Crown Court heard.
The incident, at around 5.25pm in Camden, north-west London, was filmed by Mr Fontana from the driver’s seat and shared widely online.
Police mistakenly thought he was a potentially violent drug dealer who may have had a weapon and only had a provisional licence, the court heard.
When Mr Fontana refused to leave his vehicle, Savage, in footage played to the jury, can be heard saying: “Get out of the car”, and “You’re not allowed to drive it” before hitting it repeatedly with his baton. Mr Fontana, who placed his keys on the dashboard, replies: “I’ve got a licence and insurance”, and says he is filming for his own safety.
Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, said: “You might think it not unfair to say that he comes across in that clip as a bully in uniform.
“When Mr Fontana was saying ‘I’ve got a licence and insurance’ he was telling the truth.
“[Police] thought it was someone called TJ Dixon who was driving the car. To put it mildly he is well known to the police.
“He was believed to be involved in drug dealing and police had been told he may be violent.”
Savage said in a police witness statement that he feared for his safety and that he saw the suspect “lunge to the footwell” of the black Fiesta, which had tinted windows.
He was charged with possessing a bladed article, common assault and destroying property but pleaded not guilty to the offences in May at a previous court hearing.
Savage has been placed on restricted duties by the Metropolitan Police and is on unconditional bail.