UPDATED: Hampshire Constabulary’s Sergeant Dave Sanderson, who previously headed up the Island’s Roads Policing Unit, has been convicted of head butting a woman in the face whilst wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Sgt Sanderson’s 22-year career is potentially over as he faces being dismissed from the force after being convicted of the assault at Worthing Magistrates Court. The officer previously served on the Isle of Wight, leading the then Shanklin-based Roads Policing Unit.
The court has this week heard how on 6th June 2016, the 45-year-old confronted and then assaulted Ms Donja Bryant in Chandlers Ford after spotting her partner, Nadia Aziz, using her mobile phone behind the wheel of her car.
Sanderson, who was off-duty at the time, spotted the offence taking place as he was filling up his personal motorcycle at ASDA petrol station. Feeling duty-bound to educate the couple of the risks, he ‘recklessly’ pursued the vehicle along Bournemouth Road before stopping alongside the drivers door, where he shouted at the couple.
According to Ms Bryant, who also works in the emergency services, the Roads Policing Sergeant was ‘intimidating’ and did not identify himself as a Police officer. She begged him to leave her and Nadia alone.
The situation took a nasty turn when Ms Bryant asked Sanderson to leave. He replied with “What are you going to do about it?” before head butting her in the face, causing a small lump on her forehead. He was wearing his motorcycle helmet at the time.
Although Sergeant David Sanderson said the incident was accidental and that he was scared for his safety, another off-duty Sergeant witnessed the incident and told the court it appeared deliberate.
Magistrates concluded that it was implausible that the head butt was accidental and that the case had been proven beyond all reasonable doubt.
The disgraced Sergeant will be sentenced on Monday 24th April.
UPDATE MONDAY 24th APRIL – David Sanderson has today been fined £828 at Worthing Magistrates Court. He is expected to appeal the decision through the crown court.
It has been confirmed that Sgt Sanderson remains an employee of Hampshire Constabulary but has been taken off front-line duties pending the outcome of his appeal. He faces being dismissed from the force altogether.
