Bromley (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Alfie Buck, 29, was attacked inside a Bromley McDonald’s after being falsely accused of sexually assaulting a woman, police have confirmed.
On the early morning of July 20, a drunk man was arrested for touching a woman while she walked by him inside the fast food restaurant in Market Square.
Before he was taken outside onto the street by a group, he was assaulted, beaten, and punched, kicked, and kneed in the head, being thrown to the ground inside of McDonald’s.
A Met Police spokesperson stated that afterward, inquiries into the CCTV established that “the allegation of sexual assault was unfounded.”
On Thursday, October 9, a “ring leader” of the assault, Alfie Buck, 29, from Riverpark Gardens in Bromley, received a suspended prison sentence at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Colette Hanna stated that Buck had recognised on the night that a man had been chastised for an alleged sexual assault while he was in the McDonald’s.
“The defendant joined in and punched the victim. Security then ejected the group at which point the defendant followed the victim down West Street, grabbed him by the hood and threw him to the ground,”
Ms Hanna said.
The Court found that Buck persuaded an unnamed male and female to assault the victim by kicking and punching the victim in the head.
While leaving, he stole the victim’s phone and tossed it.
The man was bleeding, his ear injured and pricked with bruises; and emergency personnel were called to assist.
Ms Hanna said:
“Irrespective of what the allegation is, there is little justification for that level of attack on a man who is clearly drunk.”
Buck pleaded guilty to assault by beating and theft of a mobile phone.
Buck told the court:
“I was under the influence of drugs and alcohol myself. I deeply regret my actions.
I know I shouldn’t think I’m a superhero and take the law into my own hands. I’ll calmly call the police next time.
All I can say is I’ve learnt my lesson and I’m sorry.”
District Judge Sarah Turnock said:
“This offence is undoubtedly very serious. The assault you perpetrated was persistent and sustained.
You returned to him lying on the floor, posing no threat, on multiple occasions. You used your knee to knee him in the head, you kicked him to the head on at least two occasions.
His head landed with considerable force on the step of a shop door he was resting. You then grabbed the back of his hair and encouraged others to come and join in the assault including an unknown male and an unknown female.”
Judge Turnock said what the victim was accused of doing did not justify his action.
“In fact, I note that you weren’t even one of the people initially involved in the altercation which suggests that really you just wanted to be involved in the physical side of things,”
Judge Turnock said.
Given the impact a prison sentence would have on his pregnant partner and their unborn child, the court suspended the sentence even though she found that the attack warranted a custodial sentence.
She added that Buck had shown sincere regret for what he had done.
Buck received a sentence of 16 weeks in jail with a one-year suspension.
Buck’s punishment included a 90-day alcohol abstinence requirement.
Additionally, he was mandated to compensate the victim with £250.
How do authorities address false reports in these cases?
Inquiry by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors collect evidence, and interview the parties or witnesses separately. An objective investigation will ascertain the factual matters.
Procedural safeguard to protect those wrongfully accused exists. For example, the right to presumption of innocence, and right to an attorney. Defense attorneys aggressively fulfill that legal right by testing the credibility of prevailing false claims, and gaining evidence that may exonerate those wrongfully accused.
In cases where the evidence reveals that the accusations were intentionally false, the authorities may consider charges for perverting justice, or even wasting police time; demanding an aggressive deterrent against continued and false reporting.
Investigators will be diligent and motivated to keep information private, to protect the privacy of those involved, and limit possible reputational damage.