Met Police Officer Walks Free
The Metropolitan Police officer known only as W80 has been cleared at a misconduct hearing over the 2015 shooting of Jermaine Baker. The panel at Palestra House dismissed the case against the counter-terrorism firearms specialist on October 15.
“The decision of the panel is that we find there is no case for W80 to answer in these proceedings and accordingly the case against W80 is dismissed,” said hearing chairman Chris McKay. “Full reasons will follow in the next five working days.”
Deadly Shooting During Prisoner Snatch Attempt
Jermaine Baker, a father of two from Tottenham, was shot at close range as police foiled a daring plan to snatch two prisoners outside Wood Green Crown Court in December 2015. W80 fired believing Baker was reaching for a gun. However, Baker was unarmed and sitting in the front passenger seat of a stolen Audi A6.
An imitation firearm was later found in the back of the Audi, the hearing had previously heard.
Years of Legal Battles Finally End
The misconduct hearing followed years of legal wrangling over W80’s use of force. He was accused of breaching professional standards but has now been cleared. The plot targeted Izzet Eren and his co-defendant as they were transported from Wormwood Scrubs for sentencing on firearms offences.
Several men involved in the audacious prison break attempt were jailed in 2016.
