A Metropolitan Police officer has been found not guilty of assault after using a Taser on a suspected burglar, who subsequently fell from a wall and was left with catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
The Incident and the Trial
PC Liam Newman, 31, was acquitted of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. The trial centred on an event in the early hours of 24 April 2022 in Woodford Green, east London.
Newman and a colleague had been responding to a report of an attempted burglary at a bookmaker's on Chigwell Road. The court heard that Leonard Sandiford, 61, fled from officers, eventually climbing onto an outbuilding in a cul-de-sac. PC Newman discharged his Taser, causing Sandiford to fall from a height estimated between five and six feet.
The fall resulted in a severe spinal cord injury. Mr Sandiford is now tetraplegic and requires the use of a wheelchair.
Contrasting Arguments in Court
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Newman used the Taser not out of fear for safety, but simply to prevent Sandiford from escaping. Prosecutor Irshad Sheikh described it as "lazy policing".
In defence, barrister Kevin Baumber stated that Newman's actions were motivated by public service and legitimate aims. The officer told the court he believed there was a high chance Sandiford was armed and that he was acting to protect himself and others. "My honest-held belief at the time... is that he's willing to... in my opinion, he's trying to kill me," Newman testified.
Body-worn video footage was shown to the jury. Newman stated he believed Sandiford was on a low, flat surface about two feet high, not realising the actual height. He said he expected him to fall onto what he thought was a platform, later understood to be a shed.
Aftermath and Institutional Response
Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), PC Newman pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm in November 2024. He has been on restricted duties since the incident.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, responsible for policing in Redbridge, expressed regret. "Our thoughts today are with Mr Sandiford who has been left with life-changing injuries following this tragic incident," he said. He emphasised that officers must be held to the highest scrutiny while acknowledging the difficult decisions they face.
The Met confirmed that, with criminal proceedings concluded, it will now liaise with the IOPC regarding potential misconduct proceedings. The force reiterated that it views Taser as a vital tool but commits to reviewing its use and providing ongoing training.
