Doncaster PCSO pleads guilty to aiming kick between man's legs while they were 'on all fours posing no threat'
A South Yorkshire Police PCSO was convicted of assaulting a man by kicking him in the genitals outside a Doncaster shopping centre.
At a hearing on February 26 at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, PCSO Paula Fox, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating. She had pleaded not guilty at an earlier court hearing in October 2025.
The court heard that just after 3pm on February 27, 2025, PCSO Fox approached a man who his hands and knees on the pavement outside of the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster.
CCTV footage showed that after PSCO Fox approached the man from behind she aimed a kick between the man’s legs and he subsequently slumped to the ground.
Following the incident, two members of the public who witnessed the interaction made complaints about PCSO Fox.
PCSO Fox was given an eight-week curfew and must remain in her home between the hours of 7pm and 7am. She was also ordered to pay court costs of £400 with a surcharge of £114.
“There was no indication that PCSO Fox tried to engage in conversation or employ any other tactic before the kick,” said Director Emily Barry of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. “Her actions, in assaulting a member of the public, have the potential to reflect negatively on police colleagues, as well as impacting on the professional relationships they have with the communities they serve.
“PCSO Fox’s training would allow for the use of force in self-defence or assisting other officers.”
PCSO Fox is now expected to face a tribunal for gross misconduct for alleged breaches of the police staff standards of professional behaviour in respect of her conduct. It will now be for the force to arrange a hearing.