A WEST Mercia Police officer has been handed a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of assault.
PC Lewis Catley, who was based in Bromsgrove, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, today (Friday, July 8).
He was found guilty of two counts of assault by beating at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on June 8.
The first incident was in Telford in September 2021 and the second in Stourbridge in October 2021. Both assaults took place while Catley was off duty.
Speaking after today’s sentencing Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss said: “There is absolutely no place for this behaviour within West Mercia Police and I am pleased the magistrate has recognised the severity of Catley’s offences with the sentence today.
“Police officers are not above the law. We are committed to prosecuting any officer who has committed a crime and will do so without fear or favour.
“Lewis Catley let down the communities he served. He has let down his profession and his colleagues by his behaviour. The force will not tolerate it, our officers will not tolerate it and I will not tolerate it.”
Catley resigned from the force whilst the investigation was ongoing.
An internal Professional Standards hearing will be held at a future date.
