Police officers face misconduct hearings over Sheffield station protest

Sheffield train station, where the protesters were arrested

One police officer has a case to answer for gross misconduct, a police watchdog has ruled, while three other officers and a police community support officer (PCSO) have cases to answer for misconduct.

The hearings were ordered over British Transport Police's handling of a demonstration at Sheffield train station in June 2014 against cuts to travel passes for the elderly and disabled.

George Arthur and Tony Nuttall, who were arrested during the protest and later charged (Ross Parry / SWNS Group)

George Arthur and Tony Nuttall, both in their 60s, were arrested and charged with obstruction and fare evasion, before the charges were dropped that December.

An IPCC spokesperson said: "The IPCC received a number of appeals following a British Transport Police investigation into complaints about officers’ actions during and following a protest at Sheffield Railway Station in June 2014.

"The IPCC reviewed the force’s investigation and found there was evidence to indicate that three police officers and a police community support officer had cases to answer for misconduct, and a fifth officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

"The IPCC directed the force to hold appropriate disciplinary proceedings for these individuals, which will take place in due course."

The hearings are expected to take place in May and June, it has been reported.

The Star has contacted British Transport Police for a comment.