Driver who was headbutted by officer sues police over attack trauma
SHAMED PC SACKED FOR MISCONDUCT
A DRIVER who was headbutted by a policeman on duty is suing Derbyshire Constabulary over the incident.
Ben Joynes, of Dronfield, says he is still undergoing counselling after PC Mark Knights headbutted him following a heated row over parking in November, 2019.
Knights, 34, from Matlock, was convicted of assault in December last year and, as a result, was sacked from his role at Derbyshire Constabulary following a hearing into his misconduct held last month.
The shocking incident happened in front of one of Mr Joynes’ sons on Newbridge Road in Ambergate, near Belper.
Mr Joynes, a 48-year-old father of two, suffered a split lip and says he has been affected mentally since the incident. At times he said he doubted whether Knights would be brought to justice for the attack and was left angry at having to wait months for an apology from the force.
Mr Joynes said he received an apology from Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner last week but until now has had no apology from Derbyshire Constabulary itself. Crime commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa’s role includes holding the police to account but he is not a police officer and has no rank in the force.
Mr Joynes said: “I think it’s disgusting Derbyshire police have not tweeted about it (the case) and not recognised it. I think anyone would seek an apology if a member of staff in public duty attacks a member of the public.
“Derbyshire police should have tweeted about this case and recognised it. To my knowledge they have not done any of that. Where is their transparency and honesty?”
Deputy Chief Constable Kate
Meynell issued a statement after being contacted by the Derby Telegraph. She said: “We expect our officers to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times and treat the public with respect.
“It is clear that these expectations were not met and Mark Knights was dismissed.
“On behalf of the force I apologise unreservedly for any and all physical and emotional distress that Mr Joynes suffered.”
On the morning of November 21, 2019, Knights, then a Derbyshire
police officer, called Mr Joynes a “fat **** ” then headbutted and handcuffed him.
Immediately prior to the assault, Knights had asked Mr Joynes to move his car to allow a police van through. Mr Joynes told the officer that his car was blocked in.
Knights started to take photos of Mr Joynes’ car, prompting Mr Joynes to photograph the officer.
When Knights swore at Mr Joynes as he drove off, the victim got out of his car to demand the officer’s details. He was then headbutted, handcuffed and bundled into a police van.
Knights was found guilty of assault handed a six-month curfew and subsequently dismissed by Derbyshire Constabulary after a seven-year career.
Mr Joynes said: “It’s been a massive relief. I think the bottom line is justice has prevailed. It’s good that
I can now put it behind it me and get on with my life. The past year or so has been tough.”
Mr Joynes also expressed his gratitude to investigator Richard Leighton and Rob Warner who played helped in bringing a criminal case forward and the subsequent dismissal of Knights.
“Without their work, the case may never have come to light,” Mr Joynes said. “There were many times when I thought justice was not going to come. I never expected it to get to court the way it did and I never expected him to be dismissed. I have to give massive credit to Mr Warner and Mr Leighton for what they have done.
“It’s had quite an impact on my son, who was 18 at the time. It’s been a tough time for us as a family but I’m trying to get back to normal.”
The disciplinary hearing was told how Knights’ actions in November were “wholly unacceptable” for a serving police officer.
At the hearing, Knights denied his conviction amounted to gross misconduct. He said: “The conviction is irrefutable, there’s no denying that. The use of foul language on the day – I have held my hands up from day one. It was completely inappropriate, unprofessional. I regret that and I apologise to Mr Joynes.
“But when it got to the point when I headbutted him, I still maintain that I felt at that stage, genuinely, that I was going to be assaulted.”
Derbyshire police said: “Ex-PC Mark Knights was found guilty of assault following a criminal prosecution. Following that prosecution, Mark Knights was dismissed by Derbyshire Constabulary without notice at a misconduct hearing earlier this year.
“Mr Joynes has issued a civil claim for compensation against the force and this remains ongoing at this time.”