Brighton PC sacked over violent arrest

A Brighton police officer has been sacked after kicking a man in the head while arresting him.

Three colleagues were holding the man down when PC Sebastian Day, 26, kicked him.

Sussex Police said today that PC Day had been “dismissed from the force after being found guilty of gross misconduct in using excessive force during the arrest of a man in Brighton”.

PC Day kicked Adam Riley in the head in North Street, Brighton, near the taxi rank in East Street, leaving him with a large gash on his face close to his eye.

Mr Riley was being arrested for being drunk and disorderly in the early hours of Sunday 4 September last year.

PC Day, a response officer based in Brighton, said that Mr Riley had assaulted him and presented further danger and that kicking him was the only option.

The officer was prosecuted for common assault but found not guilty after a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court in Kent.

Today (Monday 25 June) Deputy Chief Constable Giles York said: “Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards from anyone who works for us, even under duress.

“We will rigorously investigate any incidents where these standards are not maintained and, as in this case, we will take action to ensure the integrity of officers and staff.”

PC Day appeared before a disciplinary hearing at the force headquarters in Lewes on Wednesday 20 June and Thursday 21 June. He was dismissed without notice and left the force immediately.