Arnold: Accused PC says girl's arrest required minimal force

A Nottinghamshire police officer accused of strangling a teenage girl in the back of his vehicle did not intend to strangle her or cut off her air supply, his trial has heard.

PC Kevin Markowski, 46, of Nottinghamshire Police, denies charges of intentional strangulation.

Jurors at Lincoln Crown Court heard two officers intervened when they saw an argument on Front Street, Arnold, on August 24, 2022.

Interviews with PC Markowski were read out in which he said the girl was screaming and swearing, but he insisted he used as little force as possible when arresting her.

PC Markowski confirmed he and a colleague became aware the teenager was arguing with another group of people.

He said he repeatedly asked the teenager to stop swearing and also warned her: “You have to stop or you risk being arrested.”

PC Markowski said the teenager was clearly angry and responded “are you angry” when he again warned her to calm down.

The police officer then agreed to take the teenager by the hand and lead her to his police car with the help of his colleague.

He also admitted that at this stage he did not tell the teenager why she was being arrested and that she was trying to put her hand in front of his face.

PC Markowski confirmed he applied a single knee to get the teenager into the car and used the words “public order” to explain why the teenager was arrested, but she continued struggling and kicking outside the vehicle.

At that point, the officer said he felt he had no choice but to handcuff the teen.

“I just had to go in, put my hand on his chest so I could talk to him,” PC Markowski said.

He said he did not believe his hands were around his neck and said the location of his hand was “sort of at the top of his sternum.”

“I honestly believe that at that time I was not choking him or hurting him, that was my honest belief,” he added.

During the second application of his hand, PC Markowski admitted hearing the teenager say she was being choked.

“I heard that and immediately took my hand away,” PC Markowski said.

Jurors heard that only part of the incident was filmed by a body camera worn by the other officer, with PC Markowski not turning his own on.