Mother felt ‘violated and degraded’ after being ‘manipulated’ and arrested for bus ticket evasion

A mother says she felt “violated” after a police officer “manhandled” and “wrongfully arrested” her for holding up a bus ticket, a court heard.

Jocelyn Agyemang was allegedly assaulted in front of her young son by PC Perry Lathwood, 50, and was left with a bruised arm. The arrest, which took place on July 21 last year in Croydon, south London, saw officers ask Agyemang to produce his ticket as he exited the bus.

City of London Magistrates’ Court heard that police officers were assisting ticket inspectors on the bus in Croydon at the time. Paul Jarvis, prosecuting, said Ms Agyemang was dropping her son off at her mother’s home before going to a meeting in Marylebone scheduled for 12.30pm.

The pair left the bus at around 11am when they were asked to show they had paid for their ticket by a bus inspector. Mr Jarvis told the court:
“She doesn’t hand it in and leaves. At this point PC Lathwood gets involved.” Lathwood put a hand on Mrs Agyemang but she moved away. He then proceeded to grab her arm and arrest her for evading.

A crowd gathered, people filming the officer and asking him why he arrested her. In footage played in court, Ms Agyemang can be heard asking the officer: “Can you get off me please? can you get off my arm You don’t understand, I didn’t do anything wrong”.

Mr Jarvis said Lathwood continued to hold her, demanding she swipe her card. He also handcuffed her. Another officer took his Oyster card from his hand and went with him to see if he had paid. It was confirmed that Ms Agyemang paid her fare and was towed away on the spot.

Mr Jarvis said: “There was no need for an arrest. The officer decided to make this arrest and decided to seize and manhandle her, he acted illegally because he had no justification. There was no legitimate justification. for using force to arrest her at that time. Even if it was necessary to arrest her, the level of force was not reasonable.”

Ms Agyemang, speaking to the court, said she felt “very violated” by the incident. She added: “I felt they didn’t care. I felt a little degraded because I didn’t do anything wrong.” Kevin Baumber, defending, asked her why she left, to which she replied: “At the time I was just thinking about getting to mum’s house.” He also asked her why she “resisted” the police when she was stopped. She said, “Honestly, I can’t see myself holding on.”

She continued, saying she was confused and just wanted to get to the appointment on time. She described the experience as “very scary”. Ms Agyemang said: “I only remember the strong grip. With the things I’ve experienced in my past, when someone holds me, especially when I feel like I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s very scary for me.”

Lathwood, who is attached to the Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Command, appeared in court wearing a blue suit and blue and white tie. He denies a charge of assault by beating and the trial continues.