Probe as angry officer smashes windscreen
A POLICEMAN filmed using a knife to smash a black motorist’s windscreen is under investigation.
In the video, the officer attacks the car after stopping a man he mistakenly believed was driving illegally.
After the clip was posted online by the driver, the policeman was widely condemned for his ‘mindless vandalism and intimidation’.
Leon Fontana, 25, said he was on the way to the shops when police stopped him in Camden, North London, on Friday after mistaking him for his cousin.
After screaming at Mr Fontana to get out of the car, the officer began hammering on the driver’s window with a baton, as one of his colleagues looked on.
Despite Mr Fontana placing his keys on the dashboard, the officer then pulled out a knife and began hacking through the glass.
As the windscreen caves in, Mr Fontana can be heard saying: ‘I’ve got a licence. I’ve got insurance. You’re smashing this for no reason . What you doing this for?’
Despite showing ID, it was not until he was hauled out of the car that officers realised he was not the ‘TJ’ they were looking for.
Yesterday he wrote: ‘Don’t have nothing against police. But being treated like this isn’t right.’
Scotland Yard said the officers involved were on ‘restrictive duties’ pending an investigation.
The knife, thought to be a Spyderco blade, is not routinely carried but seen as ‘useful kit’.