Police sergeant to be charged with G20 assault

A police sergeant who allegedly struck a woman during G20 protests will be charged with assault, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said today.

A CPS spokeswoman said there was sufficient evidence to charge Sergeant Delroy Smellie with assault by beating of Nicola Fisher and he will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 November.

Ms Fisher was allegedly hit during the G20 protests in London on 2 April as she made her way to a vigil for 47-year-old Ian Tomlinson, who died the previous day.

Sgt Smellie, of the Metropolitan Police, was suspended while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) conducted an investigation into the allegations made by Ms Fisher, 35, from Brighton.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Police Sergeant Delroy (Tony) Smellie with the offence of assault by beating of Nicola Fisher on April 2 2009 at a demonstration in the City of London.

"The CPS reviewed a file of evidence provided by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following their investigation into Ms Fisher's allegation.

"A summons has been served on Sgt Smellie, who will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 16 2009."