Pc accused of assault while on duty

A 23-year-old man was left with serious injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by an on-duty police officer, a watchdog said today.

The man claimed he was assaulted by the officer on Woodborough Road, Nottingham, in the early hours of Saturday, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

He was walking along the road at 2am when a marked police car pulled up and he was allegedly assaulted. He was left with facial wounds and other serious injuries, the police watchdog said.

The victim was taken to hospital later on Saturday by a relative for treatment.

The IPCC said Nottinghamshire Police referred the case to its officers, who have decided to carry out an independent investigation.

The victim and his injuries have been photographed. Investigators have also conducted house-to-house enquiries and handed out leaflets, the watchdog said.

It wants any motorists driving along the road at the time to come forward.

Two police officers have been identified and informed that they are under investigation.

Amerdeep Somal, IPCC Commissioner, said: "This is a serious allegation of an assault on a man by an on-duty police officer, and we need to establish exactly what happened.

"The man has sustained serious injuries which required hospital treatment. We have begun a criminal investigation which will be fully independent of the police."