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`Police harassment' cases in Hackney

01 January 1991

`Police harassment' cases in Hackney
artdoc June=1991

The Hackney Community Defence Association called a picket of
Stoke Newington police station after allegations of police
harassment, in two separate incidents.
Earl Samuel and Ezechial Hippolyte were driving home in
the early hours of September 15th when they were pulled up by
the police in Green Lanes, Stoke Newington. The police claimed
that they had been driving carelessly and, for no apparent
reason, called for reinforcements. Samuel, it is alleged, was
then punched in the stomach and mouth, needing six stitches to
the face and dental treatment. When the two men, who are
brothers-in-law, complained, the officers are said to have
boasted: `We're the Stoke Newington police.' `They were out to
beat someone up that night', comments Hippolyte.
The brothers-in-law have now lodged a formal complaint
against the police and intend to sue - action that is also
being taken by the George family. Last week, Old Street
Magistrates Court found Brenda George and her 17-year-old
daughter Natasha not guilty of obstructing the police when they
raided their South Hackney home in July. The police, who
claimed that Mrs. George had torn up a computer print out of
their search warrant, said they were searching for Mrs.
George's son Valantine, and, according to Mrs. George, during
the search they threw her onto a bed and `nearly suffocated'
her as her arms were wrenched behind her back. Mrs. George was
then allegedly thrown into the back of a police van, wearing
only her night dress. Police ignored her request that she
needed an inhaler for her asthma. She has since given up her
job as a nurse because of damage done to her shoulder. (City
Limits 27.9-4.10.90)

IRR Police-Media Bulletin No 64. Institute of Race Relations,
2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X 9HS