A young boy who was recently
arrested by police in London claims he was called a monkey by a police
officer and beaten up because he was wearing an expensive watch.
16-year-old
Daniel Davies, of Ranelagh Road, said he has lost all faith in the
police following his ordeal, which saw him being locked up overnight on
suspicion of handling stolen goods, before being released without
charge.
He said: “Can’t a black man walk down the street wearing a nice watch without them [the police] looking at you a funny way?
“Do I have faith in the police? No way. I’ve lost all faith in them.”
The
college student, who has no criminal record, intends on making an
official complaint after he was arrested in Eddison Way, Wembley while
on route to his sister’s house.
He said he was talking to a
friend in his car when the pair were stopped and searched by five police
officers. They were arrested when they saw his Grandmaster watch.
The
timepieces can cost up to £8,000 but Mr Davies had bought his at a
store in Harlesden for £100 with money saved from his paper round and
birthday presents.
He said: “They asked where I bought my watch
from and I told them and offered to take them there to prove it, but
they refused to listen and arrested us both.”
He was taken to Wembley Police Station where he claims he was dragged into a cell and racially abused by an officer.
“One
of them punched me and I looked up at him and asked ‘did you just punch
me in the stomach’ and he said ‘yeah I f*****g punched you,” he said.
“I also overheard one of them calling me a monkey. I was so vexed.”
Because
Mr Davies is under 18 a duty solicitor and his 18-year niece were with
him when he was interviewed. However, his mother Lurline Wright was
twice refused access to her son when she visited the station.
Ms
Wright, a mother-of-10, is vowing to get answers for his alleged
treatment and plans to hold a demonstration outside the station.
She
said: “My son is no trouble maker. They can’t touch him that way and
get away with it. It’s not right or fair. We will take this all the way,
to make sure those responsible are dealt with.”
Brent Police
deny Mr Davies’ s allegations, saying he was restrained by officers
after he became violent and refused to return to the youth detention
room.
Superintendent Nick Davies, from Brent Police, added: “A
risk assessment was also completed for him, as well as an appropriate
level of care which was provided during his time in police custody.
“At
this stage no official complaint has been received by police. Should a
complaint be made, we will investigate it appropriately.”
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