Officer unaware of man’s broken arm

A POLICE custody sergeant has told a court he didn’t know a prisoner had a broken arm when he dragged him to a cell by his handcuffs.

Sgt Richard Miller (45) denies assaulting 6ft 5in student Jonathan Rushambara by pulling him nearly 100ft across the floor at Chadderton Police Station.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court earlier heard Rushambara describe how he was kicked in the back and that the handcuffs were twisted while he was being dragged.

Miller denies assaulting Mr Rushambara following his arrest on suspicion of attacking a policeman in Yorkshire Street, Oldham.

A district judge was shown CCTV footage of Miller pulling Mr Rushambara past the custody desk. The prisoner could be heard screaming “my arm, my arm”. It is claimed Miller, an officer for 20 years and custody sergeant for seven, told him: “Give up”.

CCTV footage showed Mr Rushambara holding his left arm after he was brought to the ground by several officers. He told the court that he had asked for a doctor on the way to the station because his arm hurt.

Miller, giving evidence in his own defence, said Mr Rushambara swore at him and refused to get out of the van when it arrived.

He said Mr Rushambara said his arm hurt, but showed no sign it was broken. He would have expected a prisoner with a broken arm to be taken to hospital rather than the custody suite, he explained

Insp Scott Winters, giving evidence for the defence, said Sgt Miller was a “diligent” and “highly-rated” officer.

The trial continues