British policeman filmed attacking middle-aged woman

Footage showing a police sergeant assaulting a woman as he threw her into a cell emerged in Britain yesterday, again putting the spotlight on the behaviour of some officers.

Sergeant Mark Andrews was shown attacking petite Pamela Somerville, who was then aged 57 and had been found asleep in her car in a country lane in rural Wiltshire, southwest England.

The closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Sgt Andrews dragging the woman across the floor of the police station and pushing her violently through the cell door, causing her to knock her head on the floor.

Sgt Andrews, 37, has now been convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will be sentenced tomorrow.

He has been suspended on full pay. Ms Somerville had been detained by the policeman for failing to provide a sample of a breath test in the case, which dates back to 2008. Wiltshire Police have formally apologised to her.