During a hearing at Southwark Crown Court yesterday PC Simon Harwood's legal team bemused the courtroom with an unexpected defence against the charge of manslaughter.
Harwood, who is accused of causing the death of newspaper vendor Iam Tomlinson during the G20 protests, accepted that video evidence showed him swinging a baton and Tomlinson apparently being struck by one in a related event.
However, counsel for the defence Kenny Craig postulated: "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, don't look around the eyes.... you're under." Craig then proceeded to describe a series of improbable yet utterly convincing events whereby PC Harwood had in fact assisted Tomlinson in the manner one expects of a Police Officer faced with a vulnerable member of society.
Prior to Craig's extraordinary defence the court had generally taken the view that PC Harwood was guilty as sin and lucky not to be charged with murder.
Craig then added: "Three, two, one.... you're back in the room."