Chaotic CCTV footage has emerged showing the moment five off-duty female police officers became embroiled in a violent brawl with a mother and her three daughters during a bottomless brunch event. The incident, which unfolded at the Cocktail Club on Shaftesbury Avenue, saw hair-pulling, wrestling, and punches thrown over a four-minute melee.
High School Musical Theme Turns Violent
The officers had been enjoying a High School Musical themed brunch, drinking prosecco, eating pizza, and singing along to the soundtrack, including the song 'We're All in this Together'. Meanwhile, Rose Webb, 58, and her daughters Casey Jackson, 32, Emma Dee Jackson, 34, and Billie Jo Jackson, 35, were also present at the venue on October 15, 2022.
Dancing Dispute Sparks Homophobic Slur
According to testimony at Wood Green Crown Court, the two groups were dancing in close proximity when Webb became annoyed at the dancing style of PC Tanisha Whitlock. Prosecutors alleged that Webb yelled 'F****** lezza' at PC Whitlock, a homophobic remark that ignited the physical confrontation. The officers involved included PC Whitlock and her colleagues Daniella Andrean, Binal Valji, Megan Pearson, and Bethan Thomas.
Family Cleared of Affray Charges
Despite the violent altercation, Webb and her daughters were all cleared by a jury of affray after maintaining they acted in self-defence. The family chose not to give evidence during the trial, but Webb, representing herself, told jurors: 'Firstly, I was acting in defence of my daughter (Billie Jo) and secondly in defence of myself in the chaos that ensued.' She argued that CCTV footage supported their claim that the police officers were the aggressors.
Chaotic Scenes and Failed Intervention
The brawl lasted over four minutes and involved intense physical struggles. Two men attempted to intervene halfway through the fight, but the nine women continued to exchange blows, often ignoring or reaching around the would-be peacemakers. Drinks were sent flying across the venue as the altercation escalated.
Defence Claims Officers 'Strutted Around'
Dominic Thomas, defending Billie Jo Jackson, criticised the off-duty officers for 'strutting around as if they owned the place' and turning the venue into what he called the 'TSG dance room,' referring to the Territorial Support Group. He blamed PC Whitlock's 'manic aggressive' dancing for starting the conflict, describing it as resembling 'an angry chicken.'
Prosecution Details the Escalation
Prosecutor Alex Balancy explained that all women had been drinking that evening. 'Everyone started off in a good mood, singing, having a good time,' he said. 'Rose Webb started trying to engage in conversation with the officers. Ms Whitlock, clearly the more social one, was dancing. It seemed to annoy at some point Ms Webb.'
Balancy detailed how Webb allegedly pushed one of the officers while heading to the bathroom, which escalated tensions. 'The whole thing erupted into an almighty melee,' he stated. 'Rose Webb grabbed the hair of Ms Whitlock, dragged her along the floor and simply would not let go. Even when eventually they managed to get her to release her grip, she went back and punched Ms Whitlock in the head.'
Injuries and Emotional Testimony
PC Megan Pearson testified that she struck Webb in the 'chest and neck to try and make her release the grip' of PC Whitlock's hair. 'Danny (Ms Whitlock) had a mouth full of blood. She was crying and said she had been kicked in the face,' Pearson told the court. PC Binal Valji described the scene as 'chaotic, there were arms, legs, people everywhere,' adding that Whitlock was screaming 'help me' with a cut lip.
Jury Deliberation and Judge's Remark
The jury deliberated for 12 hours and 14 minutes over 13 days before delivering not guilty verdicts. Judge Alexander Jacobs remarked upon the acquittal: 'Unlucky for some, maybe not for others.' The family, all from Northolt in west London, had denied the affray charge.
Background of the Defendants
Billie Jo Jackson works in water safety at Hammersmith Hospital, while Casey Jackson is employed by a property firm serving celebrity and high-profile clients. Rose Webb holds a managerial position in a business. The officers involved were regular attendees at social gatherings, with the defence suggesting their behaviour 'fell well below how a police officer should behave even off duty.'
The case has highlighted tensions between off-duty conduct and professional expectations, with the defence concluding: 'The officers got drunk as they were entitled to, but it led them to behave like territorial and entitled bullies and that they were not entitled to, and that's the whole story here.'
