PC Jonathan Marsh, aged 34, responded to a call from a man reporting damage to his medical clinic sign on November 13, 2022, in Atlanta Boulevard, Atlanta. In his attempt to locate the suspect, PC Marsh mistakenly identified Rasike Attanayake, who had originally made the call, as the culprit. The situation escalated when PC Marsh tackled and punched Mr. Attanayake before realizing the error and releasing him.

Subsequently, Marsh, hailing from Canvey Island in Essex, was found guilty of common assault. He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, receiving a 12-week suspended prison term and being ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, Marsh was required to pay £1,500 in compensation to Mr. Attanayake, along with a standard surcharge of £154. Despite Marsh having a clean record and positive character references, District Judge Annabel Pilling condemned his actions as “disgusting and unwarranted,” emphasizing the impact on public trust in law enforcement.

Mr. Attanayake, a father-of-two and a cricket player who hails from Sri Lanka, expressed the physical and psychological harm he endured due to the incident. He highlighted difficulties with his shoulder, preventing him from playing cricket, and ongoing psychological distress triggered by alarms and uniforms. At the time of sentencing, Mr. Attanayake noted the absence of an apology from the Metropolitan Police, calling for improved training to prevent similar incidents.

Following Marsh’s sentencing, Ch Supt Stuart Bell, responsible for policing in East Area, issued an apology to Mr. Attanayake, acknowledging the regrettable nature of the incident and emphasizing accountability for the inappropriate use of force. Notably, Marsh remains suspended pending a misconduct hearing.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) conducted an investigation leading to the legal proceedings. The Met Police confirmed that a misconduct process will be initiated in light of the incident.