A former police sergeant, Paul Street, 41, who served with Cambridgeshire Police, stands accused of assaulting a man during an arrest in January 2020 and attempting to pervert the course of justice. This case highlights concerns about a "culture of bragging" and "intolerance" allegedly fostered by Mr Street within his team at Cambourne Police Station.
Mr Street is alleged to have assaulted Samuel Kayode, and then fabricated false statements regarding the arrest and injuries sustained. He also faces charges of misconduct in a public office related to separate incidents in 2020 and 2021, including the arrest and detention of a 17-year-old youth and an alleged request for private images from a female suspect's mobile phone.
The prosecution, led by Anne Whyte KC, has described how Mr Street "knowingly abused his professional status" as a sergeant. With over 15 years' service at Cambridgeshire Police, including leading a team tackling county lines drug supply and organised crime, Ms Whyte acknowledged that Mr Street had achieved "impressive results" in serious crime prevention.
An internal audit led to the seizure of Mr Street's mobile phones for examination in November 2021. A WhatsApp group, named "Impact Team," created by Mr Street in 2018 and featuring 17 colleagues, revealed messages illustrating a "culture of bragging and intolerance towards suspects." The content has been described as making "uncomfortable reading" and has led to separate investigations into some officers involved.
Prosecutor Anne Whyte KC cautioned the jury that they should consider whether the language used within this group was adopted by other officers, creating a concerning atmosphere within the force. The trial continues at the Old Bailey, where Mr Street denies all charges against him.