Drop knife charge, says ‘knee- on-neck’ lawyer
THE lawyer for a man arrested after a police officer knelt on his neck said yesterday the case ‘mirrors almost identically what happened to George Floyd’ as he demanded that a knife charge against his client be dropped.
Footage shows Marcus Coutain, 48, pleading with officers to ‘get off my neck’ as he is handcuffed on the pavement in Islington, North London, on Thursday night.
Coutain’s lawyer Timur Rustem told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday his client was searched for drugs and then told he matched the description of ‘someone involved in an attack’. He said the case ‘mirrors almost identically what happened to George Floyd in America’, adding that his client wanted an apology from police and the charge of possessing a knife in public withdrawn.
The police watchdog is investigating the incident. One Metropolitan Police officer has been suspended and another placed on restricted duties. Deputy Commissioner Sir Steve House described the footage as ‘extremely disturbing’ and said some of the techniques used on the suspect were ‘not taught in police training’ and caused him ‘great concern’.
Coutain was charged with possession of a knife in a public place, the court heard. He indicated a not guilty plea in court yesterday and the case was sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court by District Judge Gillian Allison.
Mr Rustem named police officer David Herald in court and read his statement, which said: ‘I considered I used proportionate, necessary and reasonable force.’
The lawyer told the court Coutain had the blade for repairing his bicycle. Scotland Yard said officers were called to a fight at 6.30pm on Thursday and Coutain matched the description of a suspect.
As Coutain appeared in the dock, protesters from Stand Up To Racism staged a demonstration against ‘police brutality’ outside Islington police station.
Outside court, Mr Rustem said his client was ‘distressed and... not quite sure why he was targeted in this way’. He added: ‘Mr Coutain was stopped and searched for matters for which he has not been charged. What I would hope to happen is that the Crown Prosecution Service properly review this case... and drop the charges and offer a formal apology to Mr Coutain.’