Northern Ireland

Police Ombudsman welcomes sentence for ex-PSNI constable convicted of baton attack

David Dumican received a suspended sentence over a baton attack in Co Armagh which left a man in an induced coma

The Police Ombudsman has appealed for information
The Police Ombudsman has said
By Allan Preston

THE Police Ombudsman has welcomed the sentencing of an ex-PSNI constable convicted of a baton attack in Lurgan six years ago.

David Dumican received a 15 month sentence, suspended for two years, for causing grievous bodily harm to Arron Beeton during an incident in Lurgan on June 4, 2018.

Officers had been called to a disturbance on William Street, where Mr Dumican struck Mr Beeton on the head with a baton which left him needing intensive care.

The sentence also included a compensation order of £5,000.

The Ombudsman’s Chief Executive, Hugh Hume, said: “(Monday’s) sentencing demonstrates that the Police Ombudsman’s Office will robustly investigate police misconduct and criminality, and that police officers who act improperly can and will be held accountable under the law.

“In this case, a young man who posed no threat to police or anyone else was struck to the head with a police baton with such force that he required emergency medical treatment and had to be placed into an induced coma.”

He added: “I hope (the) conclusion of the court case will bring some measure of closure for Arron and his family.”

Hugh Hume, the soon to be appointed chief executive of the PONI office
Hugh Hume, Chief Executive of the Police Ombudsman's Office. (Corporate Photographers Dublin)