Published 4th July 2023

High Court gives green light to challenge IOPC after it finds police officer who grabbed and punched elderly Black man has no case to answer for misconduct

Errol Dixon is a 71 year old Black man who suffers from mild dementia. On 13 September 2021 Mr Dixon was stopped in his car by police officers on Blyth Road, South East London. During the incident, a police officer grabbed Mr Dixon around the neck with both hands and punched him in the face. The IOPC accept that Mr Dixon suffered a broken nose, fractured cheekbone and eye socket and a displaced septum.

The IOPC conducted an independent investigation and concluded that the officer had no case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct. By Order dated 24 April 2023 Mrs Justice Lang of the Administrative Court has now granted permission to Mr Dixon to challenge the decision by way of judicial review. The case will now go to a full hearing at the High Court.

Sophie Naftalin acts for Mr Dixon.

The Order granting permission is available here and the full press release can be read here

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