A police constable has been convicted of assaulting a member of the public whilst on duty.

PC Ryan Higson, based in the South West area, was convicted on May 14 following a two-day trial at Hendon Magistrates' Court.

The court heard the assault took place whilst PC Higson was on duty in Clarence Street, Kingston, shortly after 3am on September 23, 2018.

PC Higson responded to an emergency call to a fight outside a nightclub at 2.46am.

Police said there were a "number of intoxicated people at the scene" when they arrived.

CCTV footage showed PC Higson approaching a 21-year-old man who was one of the group outside the nightclub, and taking him to the floor.

PC Higson was then seen to strike the man whilst they were on the floor.

The victim then left the scene. He did not require medical treatment.

PC Higson was charged on February 22. He pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 19.

After being found guilty by a district judge, PC Higson was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 90 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £2000 prosecution costs, £100 compensation to the victim and £85 victim surcharge.

PC Higson has been on restricted duties since October 5, 2018. Misconduct proceedings will now take place