A SERGEANT with the Metropolitan Police has been convicted of common assault after attacking a man in a skate park.

Warren Pash, 46, who lives in Bracknell, was off-duty when he assaulted Nick Harper, 19 in the park in Wokingham on May 7.

Pash, who was arrested on May 23 and charged on July 16, pleaded not guilty to the offence, claiming that he was trying to carry out a drugs search, but was found guilty and was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £775 costs.

Christine Pusey, district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said after the sentencing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday: “The CPS will prosecute police officers who assault members of the public; whether on or off duty at the time of an alleged offence.

“The decision to prosecute Mr Pash was taken according to the Prosecutor’s Code, which applies to all suspects regardless of their profession.

“The CCTV footage, plus eyewitness accounts, provided key evidence in this case and we reached the conclusion that the conduct of Warren Pash amounted to an assault on Nick Harper and it was in the public interest to bring him before the courts. The magistrates were satisfied as to his guilt and I respect their decision regarding sentence.” In accordance with standard procedure, Pash was suspended on full pay from the Met after the incident was reported. A Met spokesman said: “Now the trial is concluded, the director of professional standards - our disciplinary unit - will decide any further sanctions.”