An officer has pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm following an on duty incident involving an arrest last summer.

PC Thomas Karlsen, attached to South West BCU, which covers the Richmond borough, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

PC Karlsen, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was released on bail and will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, August 8.

In November 2022, PC Karlsen attended an address in New Malden following a report of a domestic dispute. On arrival, he arrested a man on suspicion of breach of the peace. During the arrest, he punched the man, kicked him twice and used PAVA spray at close proximity.

He was interviewed and later suspended from duty.

Misconduct proceedings will now take place.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of SW BCU, said: "The powers given to us as officers must be used fairly and professionally and it is clear that this was not the case on this occasion.

"The high standards we expect were not met and it is right that appropriate action was taken."

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