Police officer denies racially abusing Beckton man

Pat Coughtrey , News Editor Tuesday, May 22, 2012
11:43 AM

A police officer has denied racially abusing a man after the summer riots.

Pc Alex MacFarlane elected jury trial as he appeared before magistrates this morning.

The bespectacled 52-year-old was granted bail to appear

at Southwark Crown Court on June 29.

Suited MacFarlane, wearing black glasses with tinted lenses, chose not to stand in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court as he entered a not guilty plea to a racially-aggravated harassment offence.

He confirmed his date of birth and gave his address as Forest Gate police station.

The indictment detailed that he intended to cause “harassment, alarm or distress” to his victim and “used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour”.

Alison Saunders, chief prosecutor for London, charged MacFarlane last month after a U-turn by prosecutors.

Mr Mauro Demetrio, 21, from Beckton, was held on suspicion of drug-driving but no action was taken.