Wiltshire police sergeant jailed for attacking woman in cell (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire police sergeant jailed for attacking woman in cell

3:35pm Tuesday 7th September 2010 in Video By Staff reporter

A Wiltshire police sergeant who injured a woman when he assaulted her in a cell was jailed for six months today.

Sgt Mark Andrews was caught on CCTV dragging Pamela Somerville, 59, across the floor of Melksham police station in Wiltshire before shoving her into the cell.

As soon as he was sentenced Andrews' defence team submitted papers for an appeal against the sentence.

Ms Somerville was arrested in July 2008 after being found asleep in her car. She was detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test.

The CCTV footage shows her lying on the floor for a minute before struggling to get up with blood pouring from a head wound.

Former soldier Andrews was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm after a trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court in July.

The 37-year-old, who was suspended on full pay after his conviction, was sentenced today at the same court.

Ms Somerville was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath and needed stitches in a gash above her eye.

Passing sentence, Deputy District Judge Peter Greenfield said Andrews had abused his position of trust and only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

He said: "In my view, you presided over an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation upon Ms Somerville which culminated in the cell later that morning."

The judge continued: "I regard that a gross breach of trust placed upon you by Ms Somerville.

"I consider that right thinking members of the public will be appalled and totally saddened by your actions as a police officer."

Balding Andrews, wearing a dark suit, was led from the court in handcuffs by two dock officers.

Jeremy Barton, defending Andrews, immediately submitted papers for an appeal.

The court heard that Andrews, who is married with children aged four and two, joined Wiltshire Police around eight years ago and was promoted to sergeant in 2005.

Prior to joining the police, he had spent around nine years in the Army, reaching the rank of sergeant.

Mr Barton, in mitigation, said Andrews was truly sorry for what happened to Ms Somerville.

"Right from the very outset, he's expressed sorrow for the injuries that she received while in his custody," Mr Barton told the court.

Mr Barton said Ms Somerville had been drinking and had sworn at police officers while in the police station, even telling one to "f*** off".

"This was someone in police custody, drunk and abusive, and it was for these reasons that control was required of her to place her in her cell, unlawfully as the court has found," he said.

He said alcohol must play some part in this.

The district judge accepted that Ms Somerville, who was described in court as slightly built, had been abusive but said she was "not lashing out or making threats".

Mr Barton said Andrews had already received death threats and the stress from the court case has put his family under great strain.

"He has received death online threats as to what would happen to him if he was to be imprisoned," he said.

"He has also received phone calls. To say he has been to the mill and back would be an understatement."