Police officer who assaulted child spared jail

An officer who assaulted a 13-year-old boy after the child came to police for help has avoided jail.

PC Daniel Rusling also repeatedly swore at the child, aggressively pushed him and at one point said "come on then, you wanna go" during an altercation inside a police station's car park in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

At Bristol Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Rusling was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two months, after previously admitting one count of assault by beating.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) chiefs said Rusling's actions were "totally inappropriate" and damaged the public's trust in police.

Wiltshire Police said Rusling is set to face a gross misconduct process, but it is unknown when.

The boy, who cannot be named because of legal reasons, was among a group of six children who were at Monkton Park police station in the early hours of 14 October 2025.

They dialled 999 to ask for police to help after they reported being threatened by people inside a car.

When the boy stood in front of Rusling's police car and asked for a lift home, body-worn footage shows the officer swore at him and shoved him with both hands six times, pulling him by his clothes towards the car park exit.

The child was not injured.

Wiltshire Police then referred the incident to the IOPC to launch an independent investigation.

Derrick Campbell, IOPC director of engagement, said Rusling made "no attempt to de-escalate the situation".

"The children had been compliant up until the point that the victim, egged on by the other boys, stood in front of the police car to stop it being driven," Campbell said.

"Rusling was initially justified in pushing him away from the vehicle, but what happened afterwards was unacceptable and a wholly disproportionate response."

He added: "The way he [Rusling] responded was totally inappropriate when dealing with a boy of that age and his actions will have damaged trust and confidence in policing."

Dept Ch Con Mark Cooper said that Rusling's actions that morning were criminal.

He continued: "He ignored his fundamental duty to protect a vulnerable person and, instead, used violence and vile language to intimidate and scare him.

"I want to stress that his actions are, in no way, representative of our organisation nor the vast majority of our officers, staff and volunteers who come to work every day with the sole intention of serving our communities."

Cooper added the force will "continue to identify and remove from our organisation anyone with the attitude clearly demonstrated by Daniel Rusling".

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.