Police watchdog investigates complaint over alleged treatment of teenager

The police watchdog is probing a complaint over the alleged treatment of a teenage boy outside a night club in Co Tyrone last weekend.

The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

A video clip reported on by the Irish News newspaper appears to show a uniformed police officer kick the teenager about the head while he is being held on the ground.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Police Ombudsman confirmed they have received a complaint, which they will be investigating.

They added that the office was also notified of the matter by the PSNI.

They are appealing for witnesses to the alleged incident which took place outside Time nightclub in Cookstown.

A spokesperson said: “We would be keen to speak to any bystanders present at the time of the incident and particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have recorded mobile phone footage.

“If you believe you can help, please call our witness appeal line on 0800 032 7880.”

Solicitor Gavin Booth of Phoenix Law, who is acting for the teenager, said they would say the “actions of the officers are wholly unacceptable and reprehensible”.

“We call on the PSNI to immediately suspend this officer from duty,” he added.

It is understood that no police officers have been removed from duty.

A police spokesperson said a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of three counts of assault on police, following a disturbance in Cookstown in the early hours of Sunday December 8.

“The disturbance occurred after patrol officers stopped to assist an injured man in the James Street area,” they said.

“The boy was later released on bail to allow for further inquiries.

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland have notified the Office of the Police Ombudsman of this incident and as such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”