A police officer assaulted a woman in front of her young son in custody on the bus

A police officer “manhandled” and wrongfully arrested a woman in front of her young son.

PC Perry Lathwood grabbed Jocelyn Agyemang by the arm and handcuffed her in an incident he said made her feel “violated” as she tried to catch the bus.

Lathwood, of Norman’s Bay, near Bexhill, was found guilty of assault as a judge ruled he had no reason to use the level of force he did.

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Deputy Chief Justice Tan Ikram ruled that it was “not necessary” for Lathwood to “grab the woman’s arm, arrest her and handcuff her”.

He continued: “It was difficult … but there were no reasonable grounds to suggest that an arrest would be necessary.

“The officer made an error of judgment and overreacted. The handcuffing further inflamed the situation.”

Lathwood, of the Metropolitan Police, picked up Ms Agyemang from a bus in Croydon last July.

Inspectors asked her if she had paid her fare, when Lathwood grabbed her arm, causing bruising, and handcuffed her.

Bystanders crowded around Lathwood, filming the incident and asking why Ms Agyemang was arrested.

Body images of the incident (Image: PA)

Mr Ikram said Lathwood’s claims that he acted to protect Ms Agyemang’s child were “fantasy” and he “simply did not believe him”.

“The officer’s evidence lacked all credibility,” he added.

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 detained at the scene.

“There was no need for an arrest,” he said.

Ms Agyemang said she felt “very violated” by the incident.

The police watchdog said it would liaise with the force to progress disciplinary proceedings for the officer.

Lathwood, who is attached to the Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Command, will be sentenced at the same court on June 14.